French tourist arrested at Sydney Airport after border force make alarming discovery in his luggage
Australian Border Force officials stopped the 20-year-old man for a routine examination at Sydney Airport shortly after he arrived on a flight from Amsterdam on July 20.
Officers allegedly found 22 vacuum-sealed bags containing a clear crystalline substance concealed in his luggage.
Tests returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
The seized illicit drugs had an estimated street value of more than $20 million, equivalent to 220,000 individual street deals.
Australian Federal Police arrested the man at the airport.
The French national was charged with one count each of importing and possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The man appeared in Downing Centre Local Court last Monday, where he was formally refused bail.
He remains in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on September 16.
Authorities are more determined than ever to crack down on anyone attempting to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia.
'The AFP is working closely with our partners at the border and overseas to disrupt these importations before the drugs ever hit our streets,' AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said.
'This is not a victimless crime. The drugs these individuals carry fuel violence, addiction, and organised 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.'
ABF Superintendent Elke West added: 'Australian Border Force officers are the first line of defence when it comes to travellers attempting to smuggle harmful contraband into Australia.
'Working alongside our partner agencies, we are at the ready 24-7 to disrupt this criminal behaviour at the border, protecting members of the community one detection at a time.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Former US soldier is suspected in Montana bar shooting that killed 4, prompting search
A shooting at a Montana bar Friday left four people dead, and law enforcement officers were searching for a suspect described by his niece as a former U.S. soldier who struggled to get help for mental health problems. Officers searched a mountainous area west of the small town of Anaconda for the 45-year-old suspect, Michael Paul Brown. He lived next door to the site of the 10:30 a.m. shooting at the Owl Bar, according to public records and bar owner David Gwerder. The bartender and three patrons were killed, said Gwerder, who was not there at the time. He believed the four victims were the only ones present during the shooting, and was not aware of any prior conflicts between them and Brown. "He knew everybody that was in that bar. I guarantee you that,' Gwerder said. 'He didn't have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.' Brown's home was cleared by a SWAT team and he was last seen in the Stump Town area, just west of Anaconda, authorities said. More than a dozen officers from local and state police converged on that area, locking it down so no one was allowed in or out. A helicopter also hovered over a nearby mountainside as officers moved among the trees, said Randy Clark, a retired police officer who lives there. Brown was believed to be armed, the Montana Highway Patrol said in a statement. Brown served in the U.S. Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005, according to Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Army spokesperson. Brown was in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009, Castro said. He left military service in the rank of sergeant. His niece, Clare Boyle, told the AP on Friday that her uncle has been mentally sick for years and that she and other family members have tried repeatedly to seek help. 'This isn't just a drunk/high man going wild,' she wrote in a Facebook message. 'It's a sick man who doesn't know who he is sometimes and frequently doesn't know where or when he is either.' As reports of the shooting spread through town, business owners locked their doors and sheltered inside with customers. Anaconda is about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Missoula in a valley hemmed in by mountains. A town of about 9,000 people, it was founded by copper barons who profited off nearby mines in the late 1800s. A smelter stack that's no longer operational looms over the valley. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting. The owner of the Firefly Café in Anaconda said she locked up her business at about 11 a.m. Friday after getting alerted to the shooting by a friend. 'We are Montana, so guns are not new to us," café owner Barbie Nelson said. 'For our town to be locked down, everybody's pretty rattled.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Footy fans warned about purchasing fake Brisbane Broncos jerseys which were designed to raise money for mental health awareness
Brisbane Broncos fans have been issued a warning to be on the lookout for fake jerseys being sold online. The club's popular all black jersey - worn to raise funds for mental health - sold-out in record time when Michael Maguire's men took on the Gold Coast Titans in round 14 on June 7 at Suncorp Stadium. Scammers were aware of the increased demand, and soon began printing fake black jerseys in bulk. On Facebook marketplace, the jerseys are currently available for between $50 and $75 - with the authentic versions retailing for $170 via official NRL merchandise. Some of the fake jerseys are described as 'replicas' - but others suggest they are the real deal. 'The Brisbane Broncos caution our fans to avoid online purchases of unauthorised products due to the high risk of fraudulent and deceptive conduct and the likelihood of financial loss to the purchaser,' a spokesman said. Surprisingly, the Broncos aren't expected to wear the jersey again anytime soon. Meanwhile, a broken arm to prop Xavier Willison soured Brisbane's commanding 60-14 win against South Sydney on Friday. Brisbane Broncos fans have been issued a warning to be on the lookout for fake black jerseys being sold online (pictured) The club's popular all black jersey - chosen to raise funds for mental health - sold-out in record time when Michael Maguire's men took on the Gold Coast Titans in round 14 on June 7 at Suncorp Stadium (fullback, Reece Walsh is pictured) Scammers were aware of the demand, and soon began printing fake black jerseys (pictured) in bulk, which are still available on Facebook Marketplace Fullback Reece Walsh finished with four try assists and a try himself as the injury-ravaged Rabbitohs were outclassed. Willison isn't expected to play against this season. 'He has broken his arm and that could be a six-week injury,' Maguire said. 'Watching 'X' grow has been great, but we have someone like Ben Talty (ready) to step up. '(Overall) we were thorough and I thought our spine was very good.' In what was a history-making performance, Broncos captain Adam Reynolds became the second player in NRL premiership history to score 2500 points. He now only trails Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith, who chalked up 2786 points in his storied club career.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aussie dog walker shares the chilling moment his Beagle Benji discovered a human skull in Port Lincoln bushland
A dog walker has described the 'surreal' moment his Beagle Benji stumbled across what police believe to be the severed head of an alleged murder victim. The grisly discovery was made in scrubland near Port Lincoln in South Australia on Thursday and comes six weeks after Julian Story's suspected murder. His partner, former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser, has been charged with his murder but is yet to be formally interviewed by police. Tyson McCallum said his routine dog walk took a dramatic turn when Benji ran into bushland and wouldn't come back when called. 'I just went in a bit closer and kind of made the connection pretty quickly as to what I thought it was,' McCallum told 9News. '(It was) pretty surreal to be honest,' he added. 'I was kind of like, "No way, it's not what I think it is, surely not". But it was too coincidental.' Police believe the remains are Mr Story's, though forensic testing is underway to formally confirm the identity. 'They've obviously been through a lot, can't even imagine it,' McCallum said. 'To have it I guess finalised, they can get some closure which will hopefully bring them some peace.' As for Benji, McCallum said the sharp-nosed pup would be rewarded. 'He will definitely get a few extra treats,' he said. Chesser has been charged with murder and with interfering with human remains to pervert the course of justice. Authorities on Friday expanded their search of the area, with police and State Emergency Service crews (SES) combing the reserve. Cadaver dogs were also deployed in the hunt for further remains. Forensic teams have collected several items from the scene, which have been sent to Adelaide for examination. Chesser appeared in Port Lincoln Magistrates Court with a shaved head via video link on Thursday in relation to three separate matters. The former cocktail waitress was thrust into the spotlight at the age of 19 when she appeared on series two of the Seven Network show in 2010.
