This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor's note: Images are available on Hightail
A Canadian national is scheduled to face Brisbane Magistrates Court today (2 August, 2024) charged with allegedly importing 14.4kg of methamphetamine into Australia concealed in her luggage.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly detected the illicit drugs on 28 July, 2024 after selecting the woman, 24, for a baggage examination after she arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from Fiji. The woman started her journey in Vancouver, Canada.
The methamphetamine was allegedly in plastic packages wrapped inside towels that had been soaked in vinegar and layered with coffee beans.
Testing of the packages returned a presumptive positive result for methamphetamine.
The AFP charged the woman with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as almost 145,000 street deals with an estimated value of $13.4 million.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Steve Wiggins said every 'hit' of methamphetamine inflicted misery on the Australian community.
"I'm pleased to say in this instance the AFP and the ABF stopped a significant amount of methamphetamine from reaching our streets," A/Det-Supt Wiggins said.
"Across Australia, there were 10,100 methamphetamine-related hospitalisations in 2021-2022 – which equates to more than 27 every day on average*.
"Methamphetamine is also linked to further criminal activity such as drug dealing, property crime and violence.
"The AFP and its Australian and international partners are relentless in pursuing those who try to bring illegal drugs into this country."
ABF Superintendent John Ikin said Border Force would not stop working to detect, deter and disrupt those involved in attempting to import illicit substances into Australia.
"Methamphetamine has a devastating effect on the community every single day and our ABF officers will continue to work tirelessly to do their part in keeping it off Australian streets," Superintendent Ikin said.
"This result should serve as a warning to criminals that no matter where you are attempting to import or move your drugs, the ABF and our partners will be waiting."
The AFP is continuing its investigation into the drug importation.
*Source: The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - Illicit Drug Use.