Sydney Airport passenger charged after alleged $36.7m methamphetamine haul found in luggage
A 32-year-old woman has been charged after authorities allegedly uncovered nearly 40kg of methamphetamine hidden inside suitcases at Sydney Airport.
Police say the NSW woman had flown in from South Africa with a haul worth almost $37 million on the street and the equivalent of close to 400,000 potential deals.
The woman was selected for a baggage examination on Saturday afternoon, where X-ray screening allegedly detected anomalies in two of her bags.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Border Force officers allegedly located about 20kg of white powder sealed in vacuum bags, with a further 19kg allegedly found in a second suitcase.
Tests returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
The woman has been charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. She is due to appear in Bail Court on Monday morning.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgan Blunden said there had been an uptick in “would-be drug mules” attempting to smuggle narcotics into Australia.
“We have disrupted these criminal supply chains, and these arrests should serve as a warning to criminal syndicates attempting to import harmful drugs into our country – we are ready and waiting, and you will be caught,” Mr Blunden said.
“Criminal syndicates are driven by greed and profit. We are committed to protecting the community from the scourge of drugs and are targeting individuals who seek to profit from the illicit trade.”
ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh said criminal groups continued to use travellers to attempt to move illicit substances across the border.
“I am pleased that the strong and proactive work of Australian Border Force officers has prevented these illicit drugs from entering the streets, where they would have caused significant harm to individuals, families and communities,” he said.
“As I’ve said before, the Australian border is our most critical asset. We work around the clock, including long weekends like this one, to disrupt those who would attempt to bring illicit substances into the country.”
