The AFP has charged a Hungarian national and a juvenile from the United States in Melbourne this week for their alleged roles in a plot to import 14kg of methamphetamine concealed inside blueberry packages.
The accused appeared before Melbourne Magistrate's Court and Melbourne Children's Court yesterday (18 December, 2024).
Investigations began after the Hungarian national, 25, arrived in Melbourne on 17 December, 2024, after flying in from Los Angeles, USA.
A baggage examination by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers revealed about 9kg of methamphetamine concealed inside blueberry packages within the man's suitcase.
Presumptive testing by ABF officers returned positive for methamphetamine.
The man was allegedly paid $9000 USD (about $14,200 AUD) to carry the packages and told to meet an unknown individual at a nearby hotel to hand them over.
The man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
Enquiries initiated by the AFP resulted in investigators attending a Melbourne hotel and arresting the alleged drug courier. The juvenile, 17, had been staying there after he flew into Sydney from Los Angeles on 12 December, 2024.
During a search of the hotel room, AFP officers allegedly seized empty packages of blueberries, six plastic bags containing methamphetamine weighing about 5.5kg, and scales. Investigations into how these drugs entered Australia remain ongoing.
The minor was arrested and charged with:
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One count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 11.1 and section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
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One count of possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Bernard Geason said the AFP worked closely with law enforcement partners to stop illicit drugs from reaching Australian communities.
"Drugs like methamphetamine cause significant harm to our community and are an impost on our health care system," Det-Supt Geason said.
In 2022-23, 135,000 people were hospitalised in Australia for drug-related reasons, of which methamphetamine accounted for 11,300 hospitalisations (8.3 per cent).*
"Those who attempt to import illicit drugs into Australia should know the AFP has a very good track record of identifying and prosecuting illicit drug importers and couriers."
ABF Acting Superintendent Luke Vercoe said ABF officers working at Australia's international airports are at the front line when it came to protecting the border from harmful illicit drugs entering the country.
"These arrests are a timely warning to passengers who wrongly believe they will be successful in hiding illicit drugs in their luggage, or on their person, when flying to Australia," Acting Superintendent Vercoe said.
"ABF officers have seen it all when it comes to creative methods of concealment, they are well trained and well equipped and we will act decisively when we find them."
*Source: The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - Illicit Drug Use.
