Woman Allegedly Tried to Disguise 33 Lbs. of Meth as Tea at Airport Security
NEED TO KNOW
- A woman in Australia is facing a drug importation charge after authorities alleged she tried to hide drugs in her luggage by disguising them as tea
- Border officials said they found 18 vacuum-sealed bags labeled as “tea” that contained a clear crystalline substance
- The bags tested positive for methamphetamine, and the bags have an “estimated street value of more than $13 million”
A woman in Australia is facing a drug importation charge after authorities alleged she tried to hide drugs in her luggage by disguising them as tea.
The 40-year-old woman from the Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg was stopped for a routine examination after arriving at Sydney International Airport on Friday, Dec. 26, according to a joint press release from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
The ABF said that they allegedly found 18 vacuum-sealed bags labeled as “tea” that contained a clear crystalline substance in the woman’s luggage.
“Presumptive testing of the substance returned a positive result for methamphetamine, with an estimated weight of 15 kilogram [about 33 pounds],” authorities said.
Photos provided by authorities showed multiple bags labeled as oolong tea inside a suitcase.
Australian Federal Police
AFP officers arrested the woman and seized the drugs, according to the press release.
“The seizure has an estimated street value of more than $13 million and could have equated to 150,000 individual street deals,” police said, citing the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Drug Calculator.
The woman — whose identity has not been made public — was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
She is expected to appear in in court in Sydney on Dec. 27.
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Australian Federal Police
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said in the press release that authorities often see people attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia in their luggage.
“This is an important reminder for travelers – individuals or groups offering money to move luggage are not to be trusted, and the reward is not worth the consequences,” Blunden said. “Trafficking drugs in your luggage, either knowingly or unknowingly, is a criminal offense, and if caught, you face losing some of the best years of your life sitting in a prison cell either in Australia or overseas.”
“This is not a victimless crime,” he added. “The drugs these individuals carry fuel violence, addiction and organized crime in our communities. Every kilogram seized is a blow to the networks that profit from harm and a reminder that Australia is not an easy target.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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