A 26-year-old man has faced court after police allegedly discovered $18 million worth of illegal drugs hidden within the door cavities of his car during a routine traffic stop on the Hume Highway near Gundagai, in southern New South Wales.
The operation, conducted on Tuesday morning, involved Riverina Police Highway Patrol officers and the state’s crime squad. The officers stopped a hatchback traveling south and, upon searching the vehicle, reportedly found 25 kilograms of methylamphetamine and 10 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the doors.
Detective Superintendent Peter Faux of the NSW Police Organised Crime Squad described the discovery as a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking.
“These people think they can move these drugs in large quantities around the country and up and down our roads, but it’s not as simple as they think,” Superintendent Faux said. “We’ve essentially prevented literally hundreds of thousands of people administering drugs through this one seizure.”
Among the cocaine bricks, some were marked with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a detail Superintendent Faux explained is part of a broader trend among drug traffickers.
“Identifiable markers are common in the drug trade, used to brand or distinguish products. They could feature anything—pictures of vehicles, emblems, or, in this case, the Russian president,” he said.
Police allege the man, identified as Miekel Elia, was attempting to transport the drugs from Sydney to Melbourne. He has been charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drugs and possessing an encrypted criminal communication device used to facilitate serious criminal activity.
The street value of the seized drugs is estimated at $18 million.
Elia faced Young Local Court on Tuesday, where his bail was formally refused. He is scheduled to reappear in court on Friday.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of disrupting major drug trafficking networks, with Superintendent Faux praising the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in this case.
“This is another example of our unwavering commitment to targeting organized crime and keeping our communities safe,” he said.
4 December 2024
