The ecstasy tablets were hidden in the doors of six refrigerators

Australian detectives arrested 10 people in eight raids in the cities of Sydney and Darwin, while a further two were arrested in Britain.

Australian authorities discovered the drugs inside the doors of six refrigerators shipped from Britain.

A dozen people have now been charged with drug trafficking, police say.

Acting on a tip-off from their British counterparts, Australian customs officials found the drug haul earlier this month using X-ray equipment.

The ecstasy tablets had an estimated street value of �4.8m.

Warehouse

The officials replaced the ecstasy with fake tablets and allowed the refrigerators to be delivered.

Four people were arrested in a Sydney warehouse on Tuesday as they removed the fake tablets, while the other six were arrested at private addresses.

The arrests in Britain were carried out by National Crime Squad detectives.

Acting Australian Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone said the two suspects had already appeared at London's Bow Street Magistrates Court.

The Australian suspects, whose identities have not been released, were due to appear in court in Sydney and Darwin on Thursday.