Briton held in Australia drug smuggling probe

British man is among six people arrested for allegedly smuggling amphetamines

The men are due to appear in court today on charges relating to the trafficking, possession and importation of a prohibited drug. The maximum penalties they face if convicted was not immediately clear (Getty Images News)

A British man is among six people arrested for allegedly smuggling amphetamines from the United Kingdom halfway round the world through a courier service, investigators said today.

Authorities seized 18lb (8kg) of the drug, worth at least 20 million Australian dollars (£11 million), the Australian Crime Commission said in a statement.

Yesterday's arrests were the result of a joint investigation involving England's West Mercia Police, Australian Federal Police and the state police forces in Queensland and Tasmania.

Three packages containing the drugs were intercepted after being posted through an international parcel courier service, said Richard Grant, manager of the Australian Crime Commission, which provided intelligence and co-ordinated the police investigation.

Five men, including four members of the Rebels Motorcycle Club, were arrested in Queensland and Tasmania. They were due to appear in court today on charges relating to the trafficking, possession and importation of a prohibited drug. The maximum penalties they face if convicted was not immediately clear.

Four members of the Rebels Motorcycle Club, were arrested in Queensland and Tasmania (Getty Images News)

West Mercia Police arrested a 27-year-old man from Kidderminster in Liverpool yesterday. He was questioned and later released on police bail pending further inquiries, the commission's statement said.

None of the suspects' names has been released.

West Mercia Detective Inspector Carl Moore said police would continue to work to ensure charges are laid against those involved in the drug trafficking.

PA