NSW: Australia's largest ecstasy haul seized in Sydney

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NSW: Australia's largest ecstasy haul seized in Sydney

Police say Australia's largest ever ecstasy haul -- with an estimated street valueof $45 million -- has been seized by police from the back of a van parked in the garageof a southern Sydney apartment.

A joint task force comprising officers from the Australian Federal Police, New SouthWales Police and the New South Wales Crime Commission made the bust on Christmas Eve.

Around 750,000 tablets were seized during a raid in Sylvania, in Sydney's south, aftera three-month investigation.

Detective Superintendent MARK WRIGHT from the New South Wales Police Special CrimeUnit says three men had been arrested after an extensive surveillance operation.

FRANCIS BALLIS, aged 56, of Bondi, WAYNE MOORE, aged 52, of Sylvania and Canadian CARLHINKE, aged 48, living in Cronulla, appeared in Paramatta Local Court on Christmas Day,charged with drug offences under the Customs Act.

They didn't seek bail and have been remanded in custody to reappear at Central LocalCourt on January 15.

AAP RTV ka/smbQ

KEYWORD: ECSTASY (SYDNEY)