Media Release
Two charged over alleged failed plot to import 12kg of meth into Australia
This is a joint media release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor’s note: Images are available via Hightail.
Two Czech Republic nationals are expected to appear before Downing Centre District Court today (27 February, 2025) charged with allegedly importing 12kg of methamphetamine into Australia.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers found the illicit drugs yesterday (26 February, 2025) after selecting a woman, 54, and a man, 46 for a baggage examination following their arrival at Sydney Airport from Thailand.
The officers allegedly found 12kg of a white substance secreted in the lining of the man and woman’s luggage, concealed within thirteen wrapped packages.
Initial testing of the substance returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
This amount of methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $12 million and if it had reached the community had the potential to equate to 130,000 street deals.
The AFP charged the passengers each 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.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP together with its law enforcement partners worked closely together to combat air travel being used as part of the international drug trafficking chain.
“The AFP is committed to disrupting all levels of the drug trade and the criminals attempting to profit at the expense and suffering of the Australian community,” Det-Supt Blunden said.
ABF Superintendent Elke West said officers are constantly assessing relevant intelligence to detect and catch passengers acting as drug mules, attempting to bring significant quantities of illicit drugs into Australia.
“ABF officers are on the frontline at Australia’s international airports and we utilise a combination of intelligence, intuition and technology, and work closely with our law enforcement partners, to ensure these plans are thwarted,” Superintendent West said.
The arrests follow a recent unrelated drug seizure at Sydney Airport on 20 February, 2025, in which ABF officers located 32kg of methamphetamine and 8kg of cocaine in abandoned luggage.
AFP investigators seized the illicit drugs and later charged a Malaysian man with drug importation offences.
Note to media
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
