A Hungarian national has been sentenced to more than seven years' imprisonment for trying to smuggle 9kg of methamphetamine into Australia in 2024, concealed inside blueberry powder packaging.
The man, 26, was sentenced by the County Court of Victoria last week (7 November, 2025) to seven years and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four years.
Investigations began after the man arrived at Melbourne Airport on 17 December, 2024, on a flight from Los Angeles, USA.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers alerted the AFP after examining the man's suitcase and finding 9kg of methamphetamine concealed inside packets of blueberry powder.
The man told police he was paid about $14,200 to carry 'watches' into Australia and was then to meet an unknown individual at a nearby hotel to hand them over.
The AFP charged the man and he pleaded guilty on 29 October, 2025, to one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Detective Inspector Jarrod Ragg said the seized methamphetamine had the potential to be sold as 90,000 individual street level deals, worth an estimated $8.3 million in profits for criminals.
"The AFP and ABF are relentless in our commitment to prevent harmful drugs from entering our community and causing harm," Det Insp Ragg said.
"Drugs like methamphetamine bring harm and violence into our communities and are an impost on our health care system.
"This matter is an important reminder that travellers are responsible for the items they bring into Australia. Anyone who offers you cash to carry something for them is not to be trusted and claiming you did not know the items were illicit drugs is not a valid excuse."
ABF Inspector Costas Karatzas said this outcome serves as reminder to anyone looking to circumvent Australia's border controls that they will be met with an appropriate punishment.
"Our ABF officers remain vigilant at the border and are on constant watch for anybody attempting to smuggle drugs into the country to profit at the expense of the community," Inspector Karatzas said.
"We are alert to the threat of illicit drugs entering Australia across the air travel continuum and will continue to seize these harmful substances, working closely with our partners to keep culprits accountable."
