Two women will return to court today (Wednesday 4 March 2026) after allegedly attempting to import more than 38kg of methamphetamine into Sydney hidden inside two suitcases.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped two women - an Australian and New Zealand residents, both aged 35 - for a targeted baggage exam after they arrived from Singapore on Saturday 20 December 2025.
Upon inspecting the women's luggage, ABF officers allegedly located dozens of vacuum sealed bags of a crystallised substance, concealed underneath a small layer of towels.
Presumptive testing returned an initial positive result for methamphetamine.
A short time later, officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested the women, where they were later charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
They will both reappear at Sydney's Downing Centre today (4 March 2026).
ABF Superintendent Elke West said officers are attuned to emerging trends, observing passenger behaviour and intelligence to assess who or what may be an inbound threat.
"Our ABF officers are seizing significant quantities of illicit drugs at the border, removing profits from the hands of criminals and stopping their corrupt business model in its tracks," Supt West said.
"Organised crime groups will run the gauntlet and attempt to smuggle in their illicit goods by any means possible, and that includes exploiting young vulnerable travellers.
"The ABF will continue working closely with our partners using intelligence-led targeting to ensure our border is secure."
AFP Detective acting Inspector Trevor Robinson said AFP was committed to ensuring Australia remained a hostile environment for anyone who attempted to import drugs into the country.
"Stopping this consignment means stopping thousands of dollars in criminal profit and preventing immeasurable harm to Australian families," Det a/Insp Robinson said.
"The AFP remains committed to targeting, identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the importation of illegal drugs."
