French women charged with smuggling $29m of meth into Australia
Two French women have been intercepted in Brisbane and charged over a plot to smuggle more than 30 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia, with an estimated street value of $29 million.
The pair, aged 19 and 20, were stopped on Tuesday, July 8 by Australian Border Force officers after they arrived at Brisbane International Airport from South-East Asia.
ABF officers said the two women were targeted after intelligence reports showed similar travel patterns, including a multi-leg route into Australia, to a group of four women, also charged with smuggling drugs from overseas into Brisbane earlier this month.
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.Credit: Australian Border Force/Australian Federal Police
During an inspection of their luggage, officers located 32 individually wrapped bricks of white powder, which returned a presumptive test for methamphetamine.
Acting ABF commander Troy Sokoloff described it as “a textbook detection by frontline officers, who acted on clear warning signs and solid intelligence”.
“Our highly skilled officers at Brisbane Airport were able to act swiftly thanks to the exceptional efforts of our National Border Targeting Centre,” Sokoloff said.
“It is extremely unlikely these young women were acting alone – and rather that they were part of a broader network, and this result sends a clear message that ABF will continue to detect and disrupt these syndicates.”
The women were intercepted at Brisbane International Airport after flying from South-East Asia.Credit: Australian Border Force/Australian Federal Police
After locating the powder, ABF officers handed the matter to the Australian Federal Police who seized 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, allegedly belonging to the duo, with an estimated street value of more than $29 million.
The pair were charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance, an offence which holds a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP detective acting superintendent Natalie Scott, said collaboration with ABF and other law enforcement agencies “was critical to stopping offenders from bringing harmful drugs into our country”.
“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,” Scott said.
Earlier this month, four women were charged for their alleged roles in a failed plot to import 30 kilograms of cocaine wrapped in towels soaked in vinegar and chilli into Australia.
Two of the women, both aged 18, were stopped by border force after flying from Hong Kong into Brisbane.
Officers examined their suitcases and allegedly found 30 bricks containing a white substance wrapped in towels.
Further investigations identified two individuals in Australia who had provided instructions relating to obtaining passports, airline tickets and accommodation.
They were located and arrested, and all four women appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 4.
The French pair appeared before the same court on July 9 where they were both remanded into custody. They will reappear on September 5.
Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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