2m cold and flu tablets seized, four arrested

[Abrad]

Four people have been arrested in Sydney over the illegal importation of more than 2 million cold and flu tablets.

The tablets contain pseudoephedrine, which is used to produce illegal substances such as methamphetamine and ice.

Customs officials discovered the tablets last week in a shipping container which arrived at Port Botany from Indonesia.

New anti-drug laws were used in the arrests, targeting the importation of precursor substances used in manufacturing illegal drugs.

Australian Federal Police agent Rudi Lammers says the case shows the new laws are necessary.

"The fact that we're able to use the legislation to get the precursor chemicals before they're manufactured into drugs means that our ability now to investigate, detect and prosecute these people are heightened."

It is estimated the tablets could produce around 80 kilograms of the illegal drug ice, with an approximate street value of $22 million