SYDNEY, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Authorities have arrested eight people for allegedly smuggling 90 liters of liquid methamphetamine on a fishing boat off Australia's eastern coast following a joint China-Australia operation, the Australian Federal Police said on Thursday.
Australian and Chinese authorities established Taskforce Blaze in November 2015 to combat the production and transhipment of methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics along the China-Australia corridor.
The task force is the only joint partnership Chinese authorities have with any foreign agency.
"This successful operation again shows how law enforcement agencies from China and Australia working shoulder to shoulder with strong determination to combat multinational drug crimes, can have a strong impact on organised crime," Chinese officer in charge of the Command Center of Taskforce Blaze Deng Jianwei said in a statement.
Five men were arrested in the early hours of Friday last week after authorities searched a tender craft just off Sydney's Palm Beach, finding three barrels full of liquid methamphetamine estimated to be worth 54 million Australian dollars (40.33 million U.S. dollars). They were charged with the importation and possession of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drugs.
The Australian Navy operating under the Australian Border Force's authority then intercepted the fishing vessel that transported the drugs off the Queensland state coast. The three crew members were then transported to Sydney where they were arrested and charged with aiding the importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
The arrest of the eight people is just another operation in the joint effort that's already paying substantial dividends.
"Since the inception of Taskforce Blaze a year ago this month, Australian and Chinese investigations have resulted in the seizure of approximately six tonnes of drugs and precursors - consisting of crystal methamphetamine, liquid methamphetamine, ecstasy and precursors," Australia's Justice Minister Michael Keenan said.
