A woman from Canada has been arrested for allegedly carrying approximately $12.3 million worth of methamphetamines in her luggage at an Australian airport.
The 24-year-old woman, whose identity has not been revealed, appeared in a Brisbane court on charges related to the alleged importation of 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) announced this in an Aug. 2 joint media release.
According to the release, the AFP has charged her with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug in connection with the seizure. If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Border officers discovered the illegal drugs during a luggage inspection after the woman arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from Fiji. Her journey had originated in Vancouver.
The packages found in her luggage reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine and were concealed in plastic wraps inside vinegar-soaked towels layered with coffee beans.
The media release stated that the seized meth could have been distributed in nearly “145,000 street deals,” with an estimated value of $13.4 million Australian dollars (approximately C$12.3 million).
Related Stories
No additional arrests have been made in connection with the case, but the AFP continues its investigation, as stated in the release.
Steve Wiggins, AFP detective and acting superintendent, mentioned that methamphetamine was responsible for over 27 hospitalizations per day in Australia during 2021–22. The drug has also been linked to various criminal activities such as drug trafficking, property crimes, and violent acts.
Wiggins expressed satisfaction with the interception of a significant quantity of methamphetamine before it could reach the streets. He emphasized the relentless efforts of the AFP and its partners in combating illegal drug trafficking.
Drug Cases from Canada
Several drug-related incidents involving substances originating from Canada and destined for Australia have been reported in recent years.
In one instance, a freight forwarding employee from Australia was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for his involvement in a plot to import 100 kilograms of meth from Canada.
Another case involved a 29-year-old Canadian-French dual national who received an 18 1/2-year sentence for attempting to smuggle 154 kilograms of meth from Mexico into Australia. Upon release, the individual will be deported back to Canada.
In a separate incident, approximately AU$155 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine were discovered inside a vintage Bentley sedan sent in a shipping container from Canada to Port Botany near Sydney. Two Australian men were arrested and charged in connection with the drug importation.
Please rephrase the following sentence.
Source link
