A Bangladeshi man, 24, has been charged with drug trafficking and possession offences, after the AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) allegedly found liquid methamphetamine concealed in 17 body oil bottles.
The man arrived at Sydney International Airport on Friday, 28 October 2022 from Nadi, Fiji.
During a routine customs check, ABF officers located 17 1L bottles of body oil in the man's suitcase. The bottles were subjected to a narcotics test which resulted positive in methamphetamine.
AFP officers arrested the man and he was charged with:
- Importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug - methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995; and
- Possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug - methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code 1995.
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
Police estimate the methamphetamine to be more than 750g in total weight, with a street value of about $500,000.
AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander, Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden says criminals importing drugs are impacting the lives of those affected by illicit drugs in our communities.
"We will not let any drug traffickers have an easy payday at the expense of our communities." Det-Supt. Blunden said.
"The AFP is committed to working with Australian Border Force and partner agencies to detect and prosecute these offenders importing illicit drugs into Australia."
ABF Commander of Trade and Travel Operations East, Susan Drennan, said ABF officers are highly skilled and trained.
"We are always on alert to detect and stop the importation of illicit substances coming into Australia to protect our community from harm," Commander Drennan said.
"No matter how these drug traffickers attempt to conceal and move their drugs, we will find them and you will ultimately pay the price for your actions."
