US woman charged for 20kg meth import in rugs

Editor's note: Vision of the drugs and audio grabs from AFP Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Heil is available via Hightail.

The AFP has charged a US national following the alleged importation of a commercial quantity of methamphetamine hidden in rugs.

In May 2023, the US woman, 55, travelling to Sydney from Texas was stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney Airport.

It is alleged ABF officers identified a number of suspicious videos containing what appeared to be illicit drugs on her phone.

ABF reported the incident to AFP for investigation, where investigators allegedly linked the woman to a previously intercepted consignment of rugs containing around 20kg of methamphetamine. That amount of methamphetamine has an estimated street value of approximately $18,000,000.

The AFP examined the woman's electronic devices and allegedly located videos showing how to access the illicit drugs from the rugs.

It will also be alleged that videos found on the woman's devices contained manufacturing instructions and showed a white crystalline substance.

The AFP executed a search warrant at a home in the Sydney suburb of Blacktown, where the woman had previously resided during her visits to Australia from the US.

The AFP seized chemicals and other paraphernalia used in the process of drug manufacturing from the property.

The woman was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is life in prison.

AFP Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Heil said the risk of spending life in prison far outweighed the profits of importing illicit drugs into Australia.

"The community needs to be aware that their illicit drug use bankrolls violent transnational serious organised crime groups, who may also be involved in other abhorrent crimes," A/Insp Heil said.

"The AFP is committed to working with the Australian Border Force and partner agencies to detect and prosecute offenders who help finance organised crime."

ABF Superintendent Phillip Anderson said organised crime syndicates attempt to evade border controls by manipulating people into doing their bidding.

"Our officers are highly skilled in identifying attempts to import harmful substances, no matter how they may be concealed," Superintendent Anderson said.

"I urge anyone approached by criminal groups to seek the help of authorities, rather than resort to criminal activity themselves. It's simply not worth it for you, and it's not worth the potential harm you may help inflict on the Australian community."

Note to media:

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at counsellingonline.org.au.
• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to turningpoint.org.au.

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