Three Victorian men are expected to appear in the NSW Local Court - Bail Division today (24 January, 2026), after allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 42kg of illicit drugs concealed inside their luggage on board an international flight into Australia.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted the men and conducted an x-ray examination of their luggage upon the group's arrival from Thailand into Sydney Airport yesterday afternoon (23 January, 2026).
ABF officers searched the suitcases and allegedly located dozens of individual shrink-wrapped bricks which contained a white substance.
ABF presumptive testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine and heroin, with an estimated weight of 34kg of heroin and 8kg of methamphetamine detected.
This amount of heroin, had it reached the Australian community, had an estimated street value of about $17 million, with the potential for about 170,000 street-level deals. While the methamphetamine had an estimated street value of $7.4 million, with the potential for about 80,000 street-level deals.
The matter was referred to the AFP for investigation.
A Narre Warren man, 22, a Berwick man, 22, and a Wheelers Hill man, 22, were arrested by AFP officers at Sydney Airport, with the detected packages seized for further forensic testing.
The trio were each 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.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said illicit drugs were destructive and harmful to the community, with the AFP and its law enforcement partners committed to disrupting criminals from attempting to import illicit substances into the country.
"Australian airports are not gateways for drug importations for criminal syndicates - anyone attempting to conceal illicit substances and enter our country will be caught and prosecuted," D/Supt Blunden said.
"This alleged attempt of not one - but three - alleged drug mules attempting to import illicit substances into our country is brazen.
"These arrests should serve as a serious warning to the organised criminal networks involved, the AFP, together with our law enforcement partners are ready, and waiting, to disrupt your illicit operations.
"We are committed to defending Australia from drug trafficking, and disrupting the criminals attempting to profit at the expense and suffering of the community."
ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh said the brazen nature of criminal syndicates attempting to smuggle multiple consignments at once shows the extreme lengths they will go.
"Criminal syndicates, by their very nature, exploit vulnerable people and will undertake whatever means necessary to import drugs into our country," Acting Supt Singh said.
"They only care about turning a profit, they turn a blind eye to the damage and harm these substances cause to the community.
"The Australian border is our most critical national asset, and our ABF officers will continue to work around the clock to ensure it remains a hostile environment for those doing the wrong thing."
