An Australian drug syndicate has been disrupted and four people arrested after more than 150 kilograms of ice were seized in Sydney, authorities say.

The Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police (AFP) said a joint operation had led to the seizure of 159 kilograms of methamphetamine, also known as ice.

They also seized 340 kilograms of the chemical ephedrine.

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Ephedrine, a stimulant used in a range of medical treatments, is a “precursor” used to manufacture drugs such as methamphetamine.

Australian Border Force officers searched three freight containers shipped from China in January and discovered the crystal methamphetamine hidden inside bar stools and ephedrine concealed in soup packets.

The AFP monitored their delivery to addresses in Kingsgrove, Penshurst and Narwee and swooped to arrest four people who allegedly tried to access the drugs.

Commander Chris Sheehan said the AFP believed at least three of those arrested were integral members of the drug syndicate.

“We’re continuing to pursue a number of lines of inquiry and there is definitely potential for further arrests and or further seizures,” he said.

The AFP estimates the methamphetamine seized has a street value of more than $106 million and the ephedrine could have been used to make an extra 250 kilograms of the drug.