The finding led to the arrest of three individuals, each of whom faces the possibility of a life sentence if proven guilty of drug trafficking.

Australia’s officials have confiscated 1,8 tonnes of methamphetamine in the country’s largest-ever seizure of the banned substance.

The drugs concealed in marble tiles delivered from the Middle East to Sydney were valued by authorities at AU$1.6bn (£944.2m).

Methamphetamine was discovered in 24 containers at Port Botany earlier this month, leading to the arrest of three males.

Another 1,060kg (2,337lbs) of the substance was discovered in 19 containers disguised in the same manner and transported from the United Arab Emirates last week.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Watson characterized the amount of meth as “staggering.”

“This seizure will be felt by many high, mid, and low-level suppliers for weeks to come,” he said.

“I believe a substantial amount of harm has been mitigated here. This is the largest seizure in the history of Australia, so what we are discovering today is that the syndicate that was operating locally on our beaches had international ties, which we are investigating thoroughly.”

Since last week’s raid, no additional arrests have been made, and detectives are now focusing on locating the offshore suppliers.

Chief Supt. Watson stated, “The Middle East is probably our primary focus, but I would not restrict our investigation to that region alone.”

If convicted guilty of drug trafficking, the three men previously detained – aged 24, 26, and 34 – risk potential life sentences in jail.

They have all appeared in court and been denied bail.

The previous largest haul of crystal meth in Australia was 1,600 kilograms, which was discovered disguised in speakers and brought into Melbourne from Bangkok in April 2019.