A 17-year-old Chinese national has been jailed for six years and seven months after he was caught importing 5.4 kilograms of meth into Perth.
The scheme was uncovered in June when the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department found the drugs – which the Australian Federal Police estimated amounted to 62,000 street deals – packaged inside stone pedestals destined for an apartment in East Perth.
A 17-year-old Chinese national has been jailed for more than six years for attempting to smuggle 5.4 kilograms of meth into the country. Credit: AFP
The department shared the discovery with Border Force and the AFP, who searched the East Perth apartment where the boy lived on June 25.
In addition to the drugs, they found a package in the fridge that contained more than 850 grams of meth, as well as items including scales and clip-seal bags.
The boy had travelled to Perth in March 2024, and the AFP believed he intended to sell the meth in the city.
He was charged with one count of attempting to import a commercial quantity of a drug and one count of trafficking in a marketable quantity of meth. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Perth Children’s Court in early December.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Tom Blakeley said it was important for law enforcement to work together across borders to combat the harm caused by criminal syndicates.
“Drug trafficking syndicates cause harm in every country they operate, and the AFP works closely with partners in Australia and offshore to protect our communities and ensure criminals do not profit at their expense,” he said.
“Across Australia, 27 people on average were admitted to hospital every day in 2021-22 for methamphetamine-related issues.
“The seizure of 5.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in Hong Kong and another 850 grams here prevented a potential 62,500 street deals reaching the WA community.”
Border Force Acting Superintendent John Sweet said his officers continued to work to stop the scourge of drugs entering the country, while international syndicates saw Australia as a lucrative market.
The drugs were contained in stone pedestals. Credit: AFP
“Onshore and offshore collaboration is critical in stemming the flow of prohibited drugs coming into Australia,” he said.
A Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department spokesman said warned members of the public to not participate in drug trafficking for monetary gain.
“They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong,” he said.
“They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.”
The 17-year-old’s jail term carried a non-parole period of three years.
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