Australian Border Force foils alleged packet in jacket meth plot at Sydney Airport
A US woman who flew into Australia allegedly carrying millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine is facing up to 25 years in prison.
The 27-year-old was caught yesterday at Sydney International Airport by Australian Border Force officers after landing on a flight from San Francisco.
While processing the woman, officials allegedly spotted a suspicious substance concealed within the lining of several jackets inside her luggage.
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The US woman was charged with allegedly importing 13kg of methamphetamine hidden inside several jackets. AFP / ABF
ABF officers allegedly noticed unusual objects inside the hems of jackets in the woman's luggage. AFP / ABF
Officers cut the jackets open and found small packets hidden inside the seams of the jackets.
Testing confirmed these were methamphetamine.
Australian Federal Police allegedly seized a total of 13 kilograms of the illicit drug from the clothing which had an estimated street value of more than $12 million.
Police said the alleged 13 kilogram haul equated to about 130,000 individual street deals.
The woman was arrested and charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, which has a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
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The alleged 13kg of meth is the equivalent of 130,000 street deals, AFP said. AFP / ABF
She has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court in May.
AFP Detective Superintendent Dom Stephenson said the arrest was a warning to travellers attempting to smuggle drugs into Australia.
"The AFP and ABF... will not tolerate criminal syndicates attempting to exploit our airports to import harmful, illicit substances," he said.
Methamphetamine is the second most consumed illicit drug in Australia.
ABF Superintendent Mal Nimmo hailed the officers who had noticed the alleged "anomaly beneath the seams" of the jackets.
"Methamphetamine is an extremely destructive drug," he said.
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