Mexican drug bust: Alleged drug supplier Norma Zuniga Frias planned trip home to Mexico

A WOMAN living in Marrickville accused of being part of a drug cartel’s plot to import 24kg of ice into Sydney was planning a return to her Mexican homeland.

A WOMAN accused of being part of a Mexican drug cartel’s plot to import 24kg of ice into Sydney was planning a return to her Mexican homeland.

The month before her dramatic arrest, alleged drug supplier Norma Zuniga Frias posted to social media: “I’m going to need a bridge house on my return to gdl (Guadalajara) in this June 2018. I’m excited ... #shortstay.”

The 25-year-old budding artist faces charges of possession and supply of a commercial amount of ice. Her co-accused and close friend Rose Thomas, 25, faces a charge of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of the drug.

Alleged supplier Norma Zuniga Frias had planned a trip back to homeland Mexico but was caught. Picture: Facebook

Thomas will apply for bail on March 23, while Zuniga Frias will return to court on May 9.

As The Daily Telegraph revealed yesterday, the pair were arrested last week after police seized drugs they say have a street value of $20.7 million from a package posted from Mexico last month.

Former neighbours of the pair in Marrickville’s quiet Despointes St were shocked to learn of the charges. “I’m gobsmacked,” said one neighbour who did not want to be named.

“They seemed like normal girls. They rode their bikes a lot, and there were often parties at the house late at night.”

Neighbours who live nearby were shocked to hear the news. Picture: Supplied

Thursday’s busts came after Australian Border Force officials last month found eight sound systems concealing plastic boxes allegedly containing a package of ice wrapped up by silver foil and carbon paper, in what authorities believe was a deliberate attempt to fool X-ray machines.

“(They) are certainly becoming more sophisticated in their methods,” Border Force superintendent aviation goods Brett Totten told The Telegraph.

“In the last 12 months we’ve seen ephedrine concealed in highlighters, methamphetamine in industrial cranes and cocaine hidden in children’s books.”

Border force intercepted eight sound systems which concealed ice wrapped up in silver foil. Picture: Supplied/ABF

It’s alleged the two young women were of a plot to import $21 million worth of amphetamines to Australia. Picture: Supplied/ABF

Australian authorities say they have worked with international partners to curb the increased threat to Australia from international drug cartels. Mexico is an increasingly common source for illicit drugs imported to Australia.

“In the past two years, Australian Border Force has made 209 detections of illicit drugs in consignments originating from Mexico,” Supt Totten said.