KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Police are working with their counterparts from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for a further investigation concerning the arrest of a Malaysian man suspected of attempting to smuggle in RM431.8 million worth of heroin.
Federal police Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Razarudin Husain said all necessary action would be taken to ensure drugs distribution and smuggling activities are eliminated without compromise.
"It was reported that a Malaysian was arrested by Australian authorities for attempting to smuggle in 450kg of heroin worth RM431.8 million to Down Under.
"Police through NCID is working with AFP to conduct a further investigation regarding the case and all actions that will be taken," he said in a statement today.
Based on the statement issued by AFP, Australian authorities seized the largest heroin shipment ever detected in Australia after intercepting 450kg of the illicit drug inside a container of tiles sent from Malaysia to Melbourne.
The heroin, which is about the same weight as a grand piano, has an estimated street value of A$140 million.
A total of 1,290 packages of heroin was detected in a sea freight container of ceramic tiles addressed to a Melbourne business.
A Malaysian man has since been arrested and charged on Thursday following the joint AFP and Australian Border Force operation.
He was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and attempted possession of a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.
The Australian police, however, did not name the Malaysian national, as it is a common practice in Australia unless it is deemed to have an interest in the victim's family or the community.