Australian Border Force bust French women with $29m of meth in luggage

Two young French women have been charged over allegedly bringing $29 million worth of meth into Brisbane, just days after another group of young women were caught with 30kg of cocaine.

A pair of French alleged drug mules have been charged over bringing $29m worth of meth into Brisbane.

Elyana Fatima Mercedes Ranjit Kumar, 19, and Naomie Christie Tayamoutou, 20, were busted by Australian Border Force officers at Brisbane International Airport on Tuesday after arriving on a flight from South East Asia with 32kg of methamphetamine.

The women were targeted by ABF officers after their travel patterns appeared similar to a separate group of four women charged over a 30kg cocaine import plot from Canada last week.

During an inspection of Ranjit Kumar and Tayamoutou’s luggage, ABF officers allegedly found 32 individually-wrapped bricks of white powder which returned a presumptive test for methamphetamine.

Two French women have appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court charged for their alleged, roles in a failed plot to import 32kg of methamphetamine into Australia.

The seizure had an estimated street value of more than $29m and could have equalled 320,000 individual street deals.

Ranjit Kumar and Tayamoutou were charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance.

The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.

ABF Acting Commander Troy Sokoloff said it was a textbook detection by frontline officers.

“It is extremely unlikely these young women were acting alone – and rather that they were (allegedly) part of a broader network, and this result sends a clear message that ABF will continue to detect and disrupt these syndicates,” Mr Sokoloff said.

“This is now four young women in less than two weeks detected by ABF officers at Brisbane Airport.

“Our officers are alert to these trends and will continue to adapt and respond decisively as we work hand in glove with AFP to disrupt and investigate.”

The latest detection comes after Caprise Seminara, 18, and Hasna Abdula Muhamed, 18, were arrested at the airport on July 3 with 30kg of cocaine stored in 1kg blocks in their luggage.

Photos of luggage after the women were intercepted by Australian Border Force.

During Muhamed’s bail application, Commonwealth prosecutor Amelia Walker told the court the cocaine had an estimated value between $4.5m and $9.9m.

The cocaine was allegedly wrapped in towels and soaked in vinegar and chilli.

The court was told Muhamed and Seminara had been paid about $8000 each in the form of an all-expenses-paid trip to Vancouver to pick up the suitcases, Ms Walker said.

They have been charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

Another two young women, Irada Yousif, 23, and Reem Musa Ahmed Abdelmoula, 22, were arrested at the airport DFO on the same date and charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug. Australian Federal Police Acting

One of the women during an interview.

Superintendent Natalie Scott said alleged drug mules would be met with harsh penalties.

“The AFP’s collaboration with ABF and other law enforcement agencies is critical to stopping offenders from bringing harmful drugs into our country,” Superintendent Scott said.

“The aim of the AFP is to protect Australians and disrupt criminal efforts that bring them to our shores.

“It’s not the first time this month I’ve provided this message, but I cannot be clearer – anyone who attempts to import drugs will be stopped and met with the full force of the law.”

Ranjit Kumar and Tayamoutou faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday where they were remanded in custody.

Originally published as Australian Border Force bust French women with $29m of meth in luggage