A 27-year-old Canadian man was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years imprisonment today after being found guilty of importing approximately 16 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia, hidden inside luggage.
On 29 February 2020, a 27-year-old man and another passenger arrived into Melbourne Airport from Vancouver, Canada. The two Canadian nationals had their luggage examined by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers. An x-ray examination revealed anomalies in the lining of one of the suitcases.
A bag of white crystalline material was located in the lining of one of the suitcases. Presumptive testing of the material returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
ABF officers then identified 16 one-kilogram packages of methamphetamine concealed within four suitcases. The total quantity of methamphetamine imported was estimated to be 16 kilograms.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested and charged the 27-year-old man with:
One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The man was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court this morning (15 October 2020) to nine years, six months imprisonment with a non-parole period of five years, six months.
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit drugs and precursors should contact BorderWatch at Australia.gov.au/borderwatch. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border. Information can be provided anonymously.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
