Ice ingredient found in imported artworks

Border officials have found $6 million worth of the precursor drug for ice hidden in artworks imported from China.

A total of 40kg of ephedrine was intercepted in sea and air cargo arriving at Port Botany and Sydney airport in recent days.

The first 25kg concealed in pictures and paintings was discovered in a shipping container at Port Botany on November 27. A further 15kg also hidden in paintings was found in air cargo on Wednesday.

Australian Border Force regional commander Tim Fitzgerald says the raid is an important breakthrough.

"We have virtually taken away $6 million for that particular syndicate as well as the damage and harm that could have occurred should those drugs have been manufactured into ice," he said.

Three people appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday in relation to the importation - a 28-year-old Chinese man, a 22-year-old Chinese woman and an 18-year-old Australian man.

They face a maximum $550,000 fine or five years in jail.

They were remanded to reappear in court on 27 January.

A 29-year-old Indonesian man unlawfully in Australia was also arrested and sent to Villawood detention facility to await deportation.