A United States national who allegedly imported about 3kg of cocaine into Australia in shampoo containers is the fourth person to be charged with importing border controlled drugs at Melbourne Airport this year.
The woman appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday (11 February, 2025) and was remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on 25 March, 2025.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly detected the cocaine on Monday (10 February, 2025) after selecting the woman, 49, for a baggage examination when she arrived at Melbourne Airport on a flight from San Francisco, USA.
The ABF alerted AFP after initial testing of the substance in the containers returned a positive result for cocaine.
The AFP charged the woman with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Acting Superintendent Ray Imbriano said the AFP worked closely with the ABF and law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt anyone who attempted to import harmful illicit substances into Australia.
"The AFP is working tirelessly to disrupt all levels of the drug trade and stop anyone who tries to profit at the expense of our community," a/Supt Ray Imbriano said.
"We warn criminals; no matter the methods used to smuggle illicit substances into the country, the AFP and our partners are committed to stopping these substances from inflicting harm in our communities."
ABF Acting Commander Allister Keel said that his ABF officers were highly vigilant regarding the continued efforts of crime groups to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia.
"Our message to criminals who in their vain attempts to generate huge wealth at the expense of our country's sovereignty is that you will be found out and met by the full weight of the law," ABF a/Commander Keel said.
"We know of the immense cost of illicit drugs to our community in terms of both their short-term and enduring impacts, and we will continue to combat such villainous attempts to circumvent our border controls."
The other three people charged with drug importation offences at Melbourne Airport this year are:
- A Portuguese national, 20, on 18 January, 2025, was charged with importing a marketable quantity of methamphetamine impregnated in clothing.
- A Lilydale woman, 22, on 30 January, 2025, was charged with importing 18kg of methamphetamine and 2kg of cocaine into Australia; and
- A US national, 34, on February 7, 2025, was charged with importing 12kg of cocaine into Australia.
