A Canadian woman appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday on charges of allegedly attempting to import 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia through Fiji, with the drugs hidden in her luggage.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers reportedly discovered the illegal substances on July 28, 2024, after selecting the 24-year-old woman for a baggage inspection upon her arrival at Brisbane International Airport from Fiji. The woman’s journey began in Vancouver, Canada.
The methamphetamine was purportedly concealed inside plastic packages wrapped in towels soaked in vinegar and layered with coffee beans. Preliminary tests conducted on the packages indicated a positive result for methamphetamine.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have charged the woman with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, in violation of section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). This offense carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The seized methamphetamine could have been distributed as nearly 145,000 street deals, with an estimated value of AU$13.4 million.
Pio Tikoduadua, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, commented on the case, noting the challenges in combating the illicit drug trade and the necessity for stringent border control measures. He acknowledged the incident involving the foreign national, who started her journey in Vancouver, and praised the methods used to detect the concealed drugs.
“This case underlines the extreme measures traffickers will take, highlighting the need for our vigilance and international cooperation,” Tikoduadua said. “I commend the Australian Border Force for their vigilance and thorough inspection processes that led to this discovery.”
Tikoduadua affirmed that the Fijian Department of Immigration remains committed to strengthening border security and will continue working closely with international partners, especially Australian counterparts, to tackle these ongoing challenges.
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj