Large drugs, firearms ring busted in Qld

A sophisticated crime ring has been busted trying to smuggle large amounts of chemicals from Papua New Guinea into Australia to make the drug ice, police say.

Nine people involved in the alleged syndicate are facing drug and firearms charges after detectives carried out search warrants in north Queensland and the Torres Strait.

The group imported nearly 10 litres of chemicals typically used to make crystal methylamphetamine, known as ice, with an estimated street value of $2.5 million - from Papua New Guinea, a statement from Australian Federal Police said.

Some of the chemicals were allegedly smuggled into Australia in water bottles in two shipments which were seized by border security.

The drugs produced would have been worth about $2.5 million and were reportedly destined for Cairns.

The group also allegedly tried to export firearms to PNG from Australia and had links to two large-scale cannabis crops in north Queensland.

Seven men and two women, aged between 22 and 55, will appear in court later this year.