A 63-year-old Welshpool woman has been charged with a drug-related offence following a National Anti-Gangs Squad investigation into a syndicate importing prohibited drugs into Western Australia, Australian Federal Police say.
The Western Australia National Anti-Gangs Squad (WA NAGS), which includes members of the Australian Federal Police, Western Australia Police and Australian Taxation Office, targets the criminal activity of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.
On Tuesday, 20 November 2018, NAGS investigators executed search warrants on a vehicle and residence in Welshpool as part an ongoing investigation into a syndicate attempting to import drugs into Australia.
Police will allege in court that the woman collected a parcel containing two 500ml bottles of personal lubricant and two 250ml bottles of personal lubricant shipped from the United Kingdom. The brown liquid inside the seized bottles was tested, returning a presumptive positive result for MDMA. The weight and purity of the substance is still being determined.
The 63-year-old woman was subsequently arrested and taken to the Perth Watch House where she was charged with possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.
The woman appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 21 November 2018. She has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear in court on 19 December 2018.
AFP Acting Manager Organised Crime Peter Bodel said the AFP will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to tackle organised crime syndicates attempting to bring illicit drugs into our communities.
"Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs should see this arrest as another clear example that no matter what method of importation they attempt to bring these harmful substances into Australia, law enforcement agencies are willing to pursue them and make them face the full extent of the law".
WA Police Detective Inspector Mark Twamley said "This is another successful example of working together to achieve a significant outcome in disrupting an OMCG related criminal network."
