French man arrested after disturbing airport find

A French national has been detained after a disturbing discovery inside the man’s luggage at an Australian airport.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney International Airport have made a shocking discovery after sifting through the luggage of a young man as he attempted to enter the country.

Australian Border Force agents found 22kg of meth inside a man’s luggage. Picture: Supplied

A 20-year-old French man was arrested by officers after they uncovered a 22kg stash of crystal methamphetamine inside his bags.

After locating 22 vacuum-sealed bags of the substance, which are estimated to have a street value of more than $20m, the ABF handed over the investigation to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The AFP charged the man with a pair of drug-trafficking-related offences, which individually carry maximum sentences of life in prison if convicted.

The man has already appeared at the Downing Centre and will face court again on September 16.

The street value of the bags was worth tens of millions of dollars. Picture: Supplied

AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP were “working closely” with overseas partners to disrupt drug supply chains.

“This is not a victimless crime. These drugs individuals carry fuel violence, addiction and organised crime in our communities,” he said.

“Every kilogram seized is a blow to the networks that profit from harm and a reminder that Australia is not an easy target.”

AFP Superindendent Elke West said ABF officers were “the first line of defence” when it cames to tackling drug smuggling.

“Working alongside our partner agencies, we are at the ready 24/7 to disrupt this criminal behaviour at the border, protecting our members of the community one detection at a time,” Superintendent West said.

Originally published as French man arrested after disturbing airport find