Three charged with drug trafficking after Esky full of meat and meth sent to Christmas Island

Police have charged three men after a large cooler full of meat was allegedly found to contain a side of methamphetamine.

Accused man with AFP investigator. AFP have charged three men after an Esky full of meat and meth was discovered at Christmas Island Airport. Picture: Supplied.

Three men have been charged after an Esky full of meat sent to Christmas Island was alleged to come with a side of meth.

An investigation began when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Christmas Island Airport examined a large Esky full of meat products that arrived from Perth via airfreight on November 15 last year.

Officers found a sealed plastic bag containing a crystallised substance concealed inside a bag of mince, and initial testing returned a positive result for 28g of methamphetamine.

It was reported to the Australian Federal Police, and in February two Christmas Island men aged 24 and 30 were each charged with attempted drug trafficking – a charge that carries up to 10 years in prison.

The bag of drugs. AFP have charged three men after an Esky full of meat and meth was discovered at Christmas Island Airport. Picture: Supplied.

The pair remain before the courts on Christmas Island.

On May 9, the AFP executed a raid on the West Australia man who was allegedly paid to hide the meth in the cooler.

Officers intercepted the 50-year-old at Perth Airport when he returned from regional WA.

A search was also carried out at his Cannington home, and a mobile phone, clothing and other items were seized.

Police allege the Christmas Island locals paid a WA man to purchase and send them the drugs.

The WA man was charged with trafficking meth.

Inspector Dave Reis said the AFP and its partners remained committed to disrupting the trafficking of harmful illicit substances to and from Australia – including its external territories.

Christmas Island sits in the Indian Ocean 1,550 km northwest of the Australian mainland and it is represented by the Northern Territory.

At the last census less than 1700 lived on the island.

The Esky seized with the bag of mince. AFP have charged three men after an Esky full of meat and meth was discovered at Christmas Island Airport. Picture: Supplied.

“Methamphetamine is a devastating drug that causes immeasurable harm to users and their families, especially in smaller communities,” Inspector Reis said.

“The criminals who push these substances are driven by greed and profit and have zero regard for the lives they ruin.

“Anyone who attempts to traffic illicit substances to or from Australia be warned – the AFP and its partners will seize your drugs, and you will be prosecuted.”

ABF Superintendent Shaun Senior said ABF officers were dedicated to protecting the border at all airfreight facilities and airports, both on the mainland or at Australia’s external territories.

“Regardless of the size of the facility or how the packages are concealed, we remain highly vigilant to those who attempt to circumvent our border controls, and our officers are ready to swiftly intercept and seize any illicit substances,” he said.

Originally published as Three charged with drug trafficking after Esky full of meat and meth sent to Christmas Island