Two Australian men have been charged following a failed attempt to import 115kg of methamphetamine into Melbourne, with the illicit drug found in jars of pickles.
Another man was arrested in British Colombia, Canada, as part of a joint investigation by Australian and Canadian authorities.
Investigators identified the two Australia-based men as being involved in importing illicit drugs from Canada to Australia, with a shipment bound for Australia identified by Canadian authorities in January 2026.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police intercepted the outbound shipment and found white crystalline substance concealed in jars of pickles during the search.
Forensic analysis confirmed it as methamphetamine with a total weight of about 115kg, a street value of AU$106.3 million (NZ$127.09 million), and the potential to equate to 1.15 million street-level deals.
The illicit drugs were substituted in Canada with an inert substance placed into the jars.
The consignment arrived in Melbourne on March 4, where Australian Border Force officers identified it before it was delivered to an address in Campbellfield, Victoria, on March 17.
On that same day, police executed simultaneous search warrants at properties in Baxter, Victoria, and Croydon Park in Sydney, arresting the two Australian men.
During the Croydon Park search, police seized items suspected to be the proceeds of crime, including around $400,000 in cash, eight one kilogram silver bars, jewellery, watches, electronic devices and a Ford Mustang.
A 63-year-old man from Baxter appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 18, charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
A 40-year-old man from Croydon Park was extradited from New South Wales and appeared in the same court on March 25, charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
Each offence carried a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, with both men remanded in custody and due to next appear in court later this year.
The third man was arrested in British Columbia by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as part of the same investigation.
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