AFP arrest pair allegedly smuggling $12m worth of meth into Sydney Airport after Thailand trip
Two Czech Republic nationals have been caught allegedly trying to smuggle drugs with an estimated street value of $12m into Sydney Airport after a trip to Thailand.
Inner West
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Two Czech Republic nationals allegedly tried to smuggle meth, with an estimated street value of $12m, into Sydney Airport using the lining of their suitcases.
Marian Varadi, 46, and Drahomira Valentova, 54, faced Downing Centre from custody on Thursday, each charged with one count of joint commission – import commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
No pleas have been entered.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers discovered 12kg of meth hidden in the Haberfield pair’s suitcases on Wednesday after they arrived from Thailand.
The drug was hidden in thirteen wrapped packages tucked into the luggage’s lining.
The meth’s estimated street value is $12m and could have equated to 130,000 deals if it had reached the community.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP worked with its law enforcement partners to combat air travel being used in 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,” she said.
ABF Superintendent Elke West said officers are always assessing 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,” she said.
The men remain bail refused and the case has been adjourned to February 28.
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