A United States national has appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court after allegedly attempting to import 3kg of ketamine into Australia, hidden in personal products.
The man, 40, arrived at Melbourne Airport on Friday, 20 February, 2026, on an international flight.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted the man, and during a baggage examination, detected personal products which allegedly contained a paste-like substance.
ABF presumptive testing allegedly returned a positive result for ketamine, with an estimated weight of 3kg, and referred the matter to the AFP.
The AFP charged the man with:
- One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely ketamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely ketamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is life imprisonment.
He appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday, 21 February, 2026. He will next appear in the same court on 20 May, 2026.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Trevor Russell said the AFP was committed to ensuring Australia remained a hostile environment for anyone who attempted to traffic harmful substances into the country.
"Ketamine is a dangerous sedative that directly and indirectly causes immense pain and suffering in the community, which is why the AFP works so closely with its law enforcement partners to prevent this drug from entering Australia," Det a/Supt Russell said.
"Its dissociative effects block sensory brain signals and can cause memory loss, feelings of being detached from one's body and the inability to perceive dangers."
ABF Superintendent Kelly-Anne Parish said ABF officers were swift to act upon a range of threats at the Australian border.
"Our highly skilled ABF officers are cognisant that organised crime groups utilise many different methods to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia," Supt Parish said.
"The ABF continues to work closely with partner agencies to intercept criminals seeking to exploit the border, and ensure communities are safe."
