In a jaw-dropping sting, Aussie cops leave a smuggler gobsmacked and out of pocket!
In a scene straight out of a crime thriller, Aussie law enforcement officers captured the priceless moment a drug trafficker realised his massive haul of meth, worth a cool £8 million, had mysteriously disappeared. Christian Tachev, masquerading as a fitness coach, found himself entangled in a sophisticated drug ring operation, unbeknownst to him, already under the watchful eyes of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Tachev, who got his marching orders via GPS coordinates from his higher-ups, was under the illusion of a simple fetch-and-bury job in the bushlands surrounding Perth. Little did he know, the police had already been tipped off and were laying in wait. The operation saw Tachev unwittingly leading the authorities to his illicit treasure not once, but twice throughout 2021.
Armed with a ‘surveillance device warrant’, the police set up a hidden camera which perfectly captured Tachev’s stunned expression the moment he discovered his precious stash was gone. The photo, a testament to the sting’s success, showcased Tachev, hands on hips, staring bewildered at the empty hiding spot.
Upon his arrest near his so-called business in the northern suburbs, the police discovered over £6,000 in cash, along with a hand shovel and soil-stained gardening gloves in his vehicle, tools of his ill-fated trade.
Senior Constable Josh Gilmour of the AFP commented on the bust, highlighting the impact of the 15kg of meth seized. He pointed out that such an amount could potentially reach 150,000 individuals on the streets, underscoring the significant blow dealt to the drug distribution network by this operation.
Tachev’s day in court saw him sentenced to an 11-year stint behind bars for his crucial role in the drug trafficking scheme. Supreme Court Justice Joseph McGrath remarked on the sophistication and crucial nature of Tachev’s involvement, despite his nominal position as a mere ‘courier’ in the drug trade hierarchy.
This high-stakes game of cat and mouse not only put a significant dent in the local drug trade but also served as a stark reminder of the lengths to which law enforcement will go to protect the community from the scourge of illegal narcotics.
