Drugs worth $1.5 mn found in parcel from India

MELBOURNE: Several people were being probed after Australian Customs seized a parcel from India containing about 1 kg of pseudoephedrine priced around $1.5 million hidden in a package of tablets at the Sydney Mail Centre.

"The drugs were concealed within professional packaging which indicates a sophisticated attempt to beat border controls," Customs' national director of enforcement and investigations Brian Hurrell said.

The drug, in tablet form, was stored in 47 bottles labelled 'Himalaya pure herbs', he said.

The tablets seized on October 25, contained up to 1kg of pure pseudoephedrine, which could have a street value of $1.5 million when converted to methamphetamine, local media reported on Monday.

Pseudoephedrine is a precursor chemical commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Investigators were questioning several people after properties in the state of Victoria were searched, but no charges had been laid yet.

People found guilty of importing a commercial quantity of pseudoephedrine face fine of up to $550,000 and 25 years' imprisonment.