French women charged over meth import
The two women, aged 19 and 20, were stopped by Australian Border Force officers on Tuesday, July 9, as they arrived at Brisbane International Airport from Southeast Asia. Two French women have been arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle 32kg of meth into Brisbane Airport. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire
Their movements were flagged by ABF officers, who recognised a similar travel pattern to the four women who were charged last week with attempting to smuggle 30kg of cocaine wrapped in spicy towels.
The ABF said the women's' multi-leg route into Australia prompted them to pay closer attention to the pair's movements and arrival. The women were pulled aside by the Australian Border Force. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire
Upon inspecting the bags of the French women, officers discovered 32 individually wrapped bricks of white powder. Examination of the powder returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
'This seizure has an estimated street value of $29m and could equate to 320,000 individual straight deals,' AFP Acting Superintendent Natalie Scott said.
Both women were charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance.
'They face life imprisonment if convicted,' Superintendent Scott said. The street value of the meth is estimated to fetch almost $30m. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire The women could face life imprisonment. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire
The pair appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 9 and were remanded in custody. They are expected to face court again on September 5.
ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said it was 'extremely unlikely' the women were acting alone in the operation.
'Our highly skilled officers at Brisbane Airport were able to act swiftly thanks to the exceptional efforts of our National Border Targeting Centre,' he said.
'It is extremely unlikely these young women were acting alone – rather that they were part of a broader network, and this result sends a clear message that ABF will continue to detect and disrupt these syndicates.
'This is now four young women in less than two weeks detected by ABF officers at Brisbane Airport. Our officers are alert to these trends and will continue to adapt and respond decisively as we work hand in glove with AFP to disrupt and investigate.'
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