Australian police seized half a billion dollars' worth of crystal methamphetamine and heroin after smashing a Hong Kong-based international drugs syndicate, they said Tuesday.
Police raided addresses in Sydney on Monday, finding 306 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine -- known as 'ice' -- and 252 kilograms of heroin worth a total of Aus$500 million (US$525 million), and arresting seven people.
Four of those detained were Hong Kong nationals and the other three were Australian residents.
It was the largest haul of ice in Australian history and the third-biggest heroin bust, and was the culmination of a protracted operation following a tip-off from the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
"This was an 11-month investigation where we've had tight control over a number of people who we suspected of being involved in illicit narcotic importations," said deputy police commissioner Andrew Colvin.
"This has prevented half a billion dollars of drugs reaching Australian streets."
Those arrested have been charged with various drug importation offences.
