Record quantities of huge - value heroin seized in Australia

Australian police said on Saturday that they have found and confiscated the largest amount of heroin ever in this country. The value of drugs was estimated at $140 million in Australian dollars. In this case a Malaysian citizen was arrested.

The 450-pound total package was found in a cargo container with ceramic tiles, launched by Malaysia for a company in Melbourne, the police statement said.

Authorities did not publish the name of the person arrested, common practice in Australia until police assess that the suspect's identification is in the interest of the victim's family or the public, Reuters writes.

The detainee was charged with imposing and attempted possession of a commercial amount of border-controlled drugs. Police said the biggest punishment for these violations is life imprisonment.

Chrissy Barrett of Australia's Federal Police said that order forces are co-operating with Malaysia's Royal Police. “We continue to work together on identifying and obstructing organised international crime groups aimed at damaging both our countries and ensuring millions of benefits from criminal activity”, Mrs. Barrett said through a statement.

Based on the data that for every two kilograms of heroin consumed in Australia, one person dies, police estimated that the seizure of found drugs has saved the lives of no fewer than 225 people.