A NSW woman is expected to appear in the NSW Local Court - Bail Division on Monday (26 January, 2026), after allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 39kg of methamphetamine into Australia, concealed inside her luggage.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the woman, 32, for a baggage examination upon her arrival on board an international flight from South Africa to Sydney Saturday afternoon (24 January, 2026), and an x-ray of her luggage allegedly identifying anomalies in two of the woman's suitcases.
ABF officers searched the Western Sydney woman's luggage and allegedly located about 20kg of white powder concealed in vacuum-sealed bags, while a search of the second suitcase identified similar packages, allegedly containing 19kg of an identical white powder.
ABF presumptive testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine, with an estimated total weight of 39kg.
This amount of methamphetamine, had it reached the Australian community, had an estimated street value of about $36.7 million, with the potential for about 390,000 street-level deals.
The matter was referred to the AFP for investigation, and the woman was arrested at the scene.
The woman was charged with:
- One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
These offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The arrest is the latest in a series of disrupted illicit drug imports by alleged drug mules attempting to move through Australian airports in recent days, with seven people charged and more than 100kg of illicit substances seized at the border.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgan Blunden said the AFP and its law enforcement partners were steadfast in stamping out criminality through Australian airports.
'In a matter of days, despite all of the risks involved, we have seen a sharp spike in would-be drug mules attempting to smuggle illicit substances into Australia through our airports, in a bid to reach our communities, but thankfully the AFP, together with ABF, have remained one step ahead," D/Supt Blunden said.
"We have disrupted these criminal supply chains, and these arrests should serve as a warning to criminal syndicates attempting to import harmful drugs into our country - we are ready and waiting, and you will be caught.
"Criminal syndicates are driven by greed and profit. We are committed to protecting the community from the scourge of drugs and are targeting individuals who seek to profit from the illicit trade."
ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh said it didn't matter if you were travelling in a group or solo - ABF officers know what to look for and will act accordingly.
"This weekend we have seen several attempts by criminal syndicates to exploit people into trying to smuggle drugs across the border - and we've put a stop to it," Acting Superintendent Singh said.
"I am pleased that the strong and proactive work of Australian Border Force officers has prevented these illicit drugs from entering the streets, where they would have caused significant harm to individuals, families and communities."
"As I've said before, the Australian border is our most critical asset. We work around the clock - including long weekends like this one - to disrupt those who would attempt to bring illicit substances into the country."
Stop and think. A safe journey starts with you.
Every piece of information you provide could be the key to identifying and preventing a threat at our airports. That's why the AFP is asking you to adopt the; "See it. Hear it. Report it." approach.
Behaviours to report include:
- Taking photos of security cameras, screening, or perimeter fencing
- Avoiding screening
- Leaving bags unattended
- Loitering
- Concealing identity
- Exhibiting erratic behaviour
If you see it or hear it, report it to Airport Watch at 131 237 (131 AFP).
You can make a difference!
