A Kelmscott man has been charged over his alleged involvement in the attempted importation of liquid methamphetamine concealed in bottles of cordial and oil sent from Malaysia.
The man, 59, is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court tomorrow (Friday, 25 July, 2025) after being remanded in custody at his first court appearance on Saturday (19 July, 2025).
An AFP investigation into the attempted importation started last week after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Perth identified and examined two suspicious air cargo consignments from Malaysia.
ABF drug detector dogs displayed positive reactions to the bottles of cordial and oil, and presumptive testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
ABF alerted the AFP, and AFP officers seized the 27 bottles which, combined, contained 33 litres of liquid that tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.
The AFP will do further forensic testing to establish the quantity and purity of the illicit drugs.
The AFP removed the bottles from the original consignments and replaced the liquid with an inert substance, before delivering them to a Rockingham industrial unit on Friday (18 July).
It will be alleged the Kelmscott man was at the unit and took possession of the consignments, before opening them and taking photographs of the bottles.
He later left the unit and returned home, where the AFP arrested him.
Search warrants were executed at the industrial unit and at his home, where police seized the substituted consignments, $45,000 in cash found in a freezer, small quantities of substances believed to be methamphetamine and cannabis, ammunition, a crossbow and mobile devices which are subject to further forensic examination.
The man was subsequently charged with one count of attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Inquiries are ongoing into the source of the cash, as well as everyone involved in the attempted drug trafficking.
AFP Acting Superintendent Chris Colley said the AFP and partners worked closely together to combat air cargo being used as part of the international drug trafficking chain.
"Methamphetamine causes immense harm - not only for users, but the entire community through the associated crime, pressure on the health system and distortion of financial markets," a/Supt Colley said.
"The AFP is committed to disrupting all levels of the drug trade and the criminals attempting to profit at the expense and suffering of the Australian community."
ABF Acting Superintendent Carmen Lee said the ABF used risk-based targeting to identify imports that might contain more than what was declared.
"Criminals attempt to circumvent our border controls every day, but our highly skilled officers are alert to the indicators of illegal imports and use world class technologies, intelligence and training to disrupt them," a/Superintendent Lee said.
"We are dedicated to working with our partners in law enforcement post-border, to bring justice to criminal entities who seek profits at the expense of our community."
