Charges dismissed against Emma Humphries and Clare Murray after candles, containing drugs, intercepted by ABF

Charges have been dismissed against two women who were accused of importing candles laced with pseudoephedrine into Australia.

Clare Murray and Emma Humphries were charged with drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

Serious drug charges have been dismissed against two women who were accused of importing candles laced with pseudoephedrine into Australia.

Clare Carmel Bernadette Murray, 39, and Emma Jade Humphries, 34, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday where all charges against them were dismissed.

The pair were arrested in September last year after Australian Border Force officials intercepted four parcels of candles from Canada which they alleged contained a significant amount of pseudoephedrine – a precursor for making methamphetamine – in the candle wax.

ABF led an operation with SA Police Serious and Organised Crime Branch and raided a Vale Park property on September 7 where they allegedly discovered and seized a clandestine drug laboratory, 16 litres of the drug fantasy and about $69,000 in cash.

Ms Murray and Ms Humphries, both of Vale Park, were charged with manufacturing a controlled drug, trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs and money laundering.

Ms Murray was also charged with drug importation offences.

Australian Border Force officials intercepted four packages of candles from Canada which they allege contained significant amounts of pseudoephedrine – a precursor for methamphetamine. Photos: Supplied by Australian Border Force.

Australian Border Force officials intercepted four packages of candles from Canada which they allege contained significant amounts of pseudoephedrine – a precursor for methamphetamine. Photos: Supplied by Australian Border Force.

On Tuesday, a police prosecutor asked the charge determination date be pushed back for a second time while investigations continued.

“We’re still waiting for the drug analysis to come in and this is in relation to a clan lab,” she said.

“I’ve been advised by forensic services that the clan lab report will not be available until at least the 7th of September 2024, so then we will be seeking another four weeks after that.”

Defence counsel for the pair opposed the application due to the time between their arrest and the proposed date.

Magistrate John Wells said the charges would be dismissed but warned that prosecution may lay the charges again.