Media Release
Victorian man jailed over failed 100kg meth shoe import
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor’s note: Vision/images available via Hightail
A Victorian man has been sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of seven years, for his role in a failed plot to smuggle about 100kg of methamphetamine hidden inside leather shoes into Australia in 2024.
The man, now 50, was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court yesterday (1 September, 2025) after he pleaded guilty in March, 2025, to one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine.
The AFP started an investigation in April, 2024, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted illicit drugs concealed within shoe soles inside a consignment which had arrived in Sydney from Thailand.
Police were able to link the man to the drugs after he arranged for the consignment to be delivered to a Melbourne address in early May, 2024.
He was subsequently charged after AFP officers executed a search warrant at his residence in Burwood, Victoria, on 9 May, 2024.
This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as one million individual street deals of 0.1 grams and put an estimated $92.5 million into the pockets of criminals*.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said law enforcement remained committed to targeting criminal syndicates who sought to import illicit drugs into Australia.
"On average, 38 people were hospitalised each day in Australia for methamphetamine-related incidents in 2022-23**. Drug traffickers threaten Australia’s security and economy and the damage they cause is evident in the road toll, the pressure on our healthcare system, and the risk to public safety,” Det Supt Fogarty said.
“The AFP, as well as our domestic and international partners, are steadfast in our mission to protect the community by disrupting and dismantling transnational serious organised crime syndicates who aim to profit off the harm illicit drugs inflict in Australia.”
ABF Commander Kari Ellis said the ABF served as the first line of defence at Australia’s border and remained committed to preventing the flow of illicit drugs from hitting the streets.
“The ABF continues to thwart criminals attempting to smuggle in dangerous and illicit substances, working closely with partner agencies to intercept and disrupt organised crime groups involved in this reprehensible trade,” Commander Ellis said.
“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance which is known to destroy lives and bring devastating consequences for many people within the community.”
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.
For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
*Source: ACIC illicit drug data report
