Is this Australia’s laziest drug mule? Teen is arrested at major airport after not bothering to allegedly hide $24million worth of meth in his luggage
- Teenager arrested at Sydney airport on Wednesday
- Approximately $24 million worth of meth was allegedly found
A teenager has been charged after allegedly trying to smuggle more than $24 million worth of methamphetamine, estimated to be enough for 260,000 street deals, into Australia.
The 18-year-old American traveler was stopped by Australian Border Police officers at Sydney airport on Wednesday after flying to Australia from the US.
Officers seized a total of 26kg of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of more than $24 million, after finding more than 20 packages wrapped in plastic wrap in the man’s two suitcases.
Australian Federal Police officers were notified and attended the airport to investigate further.
The man was subsequently arrested and charged with importing a border-controlled drug.
ABF officers seized a total of 26kg of methamphetamine after finding more than twenty packets in the man’s two suitcases
He was refused bail by the local court at Sydney’s Downing Center on Thursday and is due to appear on July 24.
AFP Inspector Peter Fogarty said the 26kg of methamphetamine could have been broken down into an estimated 260,000 individual street deals.
“Criminal groups continue their efforts to import these insidious substances and the negative impact illicit drugs have on the Australian community cannot be overstated,” Chief Inspector Fogarty said.
“Our message remains clear: those who seek to harm Australians, we will find you and you will be brought to justice, where you could face up to life in prison.”
The 18-year-old was arrested at Sydney airport on Wednesday after flying from the US
ABF Travel East commander Rose Cracknell said the detection showed how some individuals and syndicates were “taking brazen risks in an attempt to circumvent our borders”.
“Our ABF officers at the airport are highly skilled at observing passenger behavior and rely not only on intelligence but also on instinct to identify potential threats,” Commander Cracknell said.
“This is a significant detection of methamphetamine that will prevent the potential harm to tens of thousands of families.
‘This should also serve as a warning to any other traveler who wants to run the gauntlet and bypass our border controls – we will stop you and you will be taken to court.’