SYDNEY, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Australian authorities have charged two Mexican nationals over an alleged elaborate attempt to import over 200 kg of methamphetamine into Sydney.

Packages containing methamphetamine are stacked in a warehouse in Melbourne. (File photo: AP)

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement on Tuesday that officers commenced an investigation when Australian Border Force detector dogs provided a positive indication for narcotics while inspecting a shipping container that arrived from Mexico earlier in June.

Forensic investigators from the AFP commenced a deconstruction of the container and identified a layer of methamphetamine infused within its internal paintwork.

According to police, the container contained over 200 kg of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of 185 million Australian dollars (130.6 million U.S. dollars).

The investigation led the AFP to execute a search warrant at a northwest Sydney property on Monday, during which officers seized and located electronic devices and industrial equipment that were allegedly to be used to extract the methamphetamine.

Two Mexican nationals, a father and son aged 49 and 25, were arrested at the property and subsequently charged with one count each of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.

If convicted, they face maximum penalties of life imprisonment.

A third Mexican national, a 25-year-old woman, was also arrested but was released pending further inquiries.