Alexandra Karanfilovski charged over attempted meth import

The barrister for a young criminology graduate accused of attempting to import methamphetamine worth up to $4.3 million has said “evil, manipulative bastards” lured the unwitting woman into their scheme.

Alexandra Karanfilovski has pleaded not guilty to attempting to import meth. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

A barrister for a young criminology graduate accused of attempting to help import methamphetamine worth up to $4.3 million has insisted she was not aware of what “evil, manipulative bastards” were asking her to do.

Alexandra Karanfilovski, now 25, pleaded not guilty to attempting to unlawfully import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs in relation to a package she received at her address in May 2020.

It is not disputed the package identified as food rations from the United States contained 4.216kg of pure methamphetamine, or the drug ice, and was bound for Karanfilovski’s Arncliffe address in the name of her childhood friend Israh Chahine.

Border Force had first intercepted the package, removed the drugs, and replaced them with other items.

Alexandra Karanfilovski.

But Karanfilovski has pleaded not guilty on the basis she was not aware the package – for which she and Chahine were to be paid $1000 each to receive – would contain ice.

Instead, Karanfilovski says she was informed, some days after the package was already winging its way to her home, it contained human growth hormone.

A permit is required to import human growth hormone but to do so without a permit does not fit the definition of the offence with which Karanfilovski is charged.

Chahine and two other men – Adam Ayshan and Mohamad Hawchar – were also charged with the same offence over their involvement in the doomed plot.

In closing arguments, Karanfilovski’s barrister Tom Hughes, instructed by Sydney law firm Dib & Associates, told the jury at Sydney District Court his client’s naivety had been taken advantage of by “unscrupulous” drug importers.

Alexandra Karanfilovski leaves the Downing Centre court in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

He described the drug in question – known most commonly in Australia as ice – as an arbiter of human misery and suffering from which some are prepared to derive “massive profit”.

“There was no mention of what was to come in the package,” Mr Hughes said to the jury on Friday afternoon.

“These people prey upon people – they are manipulative, evil bastards and they do this to people who are trusting, and often very decent human beings.”

Mr Hughes described Karanfilovski – a disability support worker who has completed a Diploma of Policing and a Bachelor of Criminology, and still harbours dreams of practising law – as a woman who was taken advantage of by self-interested drug importers.

“The individuals at the highest level of distribution and importation of ice are completely unscrupulous and devoid of morality, make no mistake,” Mr Hughes told the jury.

“They are organised, and they are opportunistic – they deceive and manipulate others to achieve their ends that, as best they are able, prevents their inculpation in their insidious trade.”

Alexandra Karanfilovski. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

The Crown prosecutor Mr Armitage had earlier relied on telephone intercepts between Karanfilovski and Chahine to say the jury should find she was well aware the package contained illegal drugs – and was therefore guilty.

He reminded the jury Karanfilovski had said in evidence she felt “trapped, angry and used” after finding out too late – on her account – the package on its way to her home supposedly contained human growth hormone.

Alexandra Karanfilovski arrives at Downing Centre Court. She is charged with attempting to import the drug ice. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

“I suggest feeling ‘trapped, angry or used’ does not sit comfortably alongside the conversation with Israh Chahine captured on May 13 2020 in which (Karanfilovski) says ‘but straight up, I don’t want to do it again for $1000’,” Mr Armitage said.

“A person who felt ‘trapped, angry or used’ would not likely express him or herself in the manner of the conversation I’ve just repeated for you – instead, I suggest, it indicates if she did it again, it would have to be more money.”

In another intercept between Chahine and Karanfilovski stating “they better not think we’re f**king around with them”, Mr Armitage said the jury might think the interaction was consistent with willing participants indicating concern about adverse opinions that might be forming in the minds of other people involved in an illegal drug operation.

Mr Hughes will continue his closing when the trial resumes on Monday.