The AFP has charged two women in Sydney as part of separate investigations into the alleged importation of more than $16 million worth of illicit drugs into Australia from foreign countries.
A US traveller appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday (18 October, 2024) charged with allegedly importing 12kg of methamphetamine impregnated within clothing.
This follows a Cabramatta woman who appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday (17 October, 2024) charged with allegedly importing 10kg of heroin hidden in a hammock.
The US woman, 25, was selected for a baggage examination by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers after she arrived at Sydney International Airport on 17 October, 2024.
The examination of her suitcase revealed items of clothing which appeared to have a crystalline substance impregnated in the fabric. Forensics testing of the substance returned a positive result for methamphetamine. The woman was subsequently arrested and charged by the AFP.
In a separate investigation, ABF officers at Sydney International Airport selected the Cabramatta woman, 41, for a baggage examination after she arrived from Singapore on 16 October, 2024.
ABF officers x-rayed a hammock wrapped in plastic, which indicated an anomaly in the support poles. Forensic testing of the poles returned a positive result for heroin and the woman was arrested and charged.
Each of the women have been charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
AFP Superintendent Morgen Blunden said criminals would go to any length to import harmful drugs at the expense of Australians.
"Heroin and methamphetamine are dangerous and devastating drugs, which is why the AFP and our law enforcement partners are committed to stopping these importations," Supt Blunden said.
"This amount of heroin and methamphetamine combined could have accounted for about 177,000 individual hits had it reached Australian streets.
"Criminals looking to import illicit drugs into Australia should think again – we will identify and prosecute you."
ABF Aviation Traveller Superintendent Elke West said both of these detections stopped hundreds of thousands of potential street deals infiltrating our communities.
"ABF officers are always observing and monitoring trends and intelligence to understand which travellers may be attempting to smuggle illicit drugs into the country," Supt West said.
"By analysing the intelligence and incorporating other skills such as the use of detection technologies and passenger observations, ABF officers are able to disrupt and detect these threats at the border.
"We will continue to work with our federal and state partner agencies to stem the flow of illicit substances coming into our community."?