Australian bikie gangs are increasingly working with criminals in Afghanistan to import crystal methamphetamine, with a significant amount destined for New South Wales.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said there had been an increase in shipments of the drug, which is widely known as ice, from Afghanistan since 2021, which is when the Taliban took over.
However, Eastern Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said he didn't believe there was a link, as it had occurred before this time.
Assistant Commissioner Dametto said the drug was extracted from the Ephedra plant overseas.
"There is some talk that the methamphetamine from there is of a lower quality, but ... it is still very dangerous.
"What other toxic chemicals is it mixed with?"
Some 250 kilograms of the drug — with an estimated street value of $225 million — was seized last year before it was smuggled into Australia, the AFP said.
Last year, Australian Border Force seized 26kg of the drug coming from Afghanistan in 19 different imports, with the criminal syndicates attempting to disguise its origin.
Most of the drugs sent via international mail were hidden inside passports and traditional garments, and were destined for New South Wales, the AFP said.
The law enforcement agency is targeting bikie gangs, saying they are increasingly working with criminal syndicates from Afghanistan, who are redirecting packages through other supply chains.
Assistant Commissioner Dametto said the new forensic laboratory that opened up in Sydney today would help identify the source of the drugs.
"The new AFP forensics facility and equipment will play a major role in the AFP's work to identify these illicit drug imports, such as Afghan-produced methamphetamine, and their origins," he said.
