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.'
QLD drug helpline
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
5 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Man in 60s shot in home invasion at Gladstone Park, Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A man in his 60s has been shot during a suspected targeted home invasion in Melbourne's northwest. Police were called to the Gladstone Park home about 1.30am on Thursday after a triple-0 call was made reporting several people had broken in. Police received a triple-0 call reporting the home invasion. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling Victoria Police initially said a man had been stabbed but later confirmed he had been shot. 'Emergency services were called to Trentham Drive following reports multiple offenders had broken into a house and assaulted the two occupants about 1.25am,' a police spokesperson said. 'It is believed the male resident confronted the group before the offenders discharged a firearm at him and assaulted him with weapons. Detectives remained at the scene later on Thursday morning. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling The man was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling 'Officers were told the group also threatened a 57-year-old woman with the firearm. 'Investigators believe the incident was targeted.' Police are searching for a white Haval SUV that the group fled in. 'The 60-year-old man sustained serious injuries consistent with a gunshot wound and was transported to hospital,' the spokesperson said. The woman was not physically injured. Police want anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward. Detective Inspector Adam Tilley is expected to provide further details later on Wednesday. Originally published as Man in 60s shot in Melbourne home invasion
Courier-Mail
5 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Police call off search for head of Tamika Chesser partner Julian Story
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. South Australian Police have again suspended their search for the missing head of Julian Story, who was allegedly murdered by his former reality TV star girlfriend Tamika Chesser. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke announced on Thursday that searchers had failed to locate Mr Story's head, more than a month after his body was found at the couple's Port Lincoln unit about midnight on June 17. 'Unfortunately, we have still not been able to locate the missing remains of Julian Story,' he said. Thursday's announcement marks the second suspension of the search for Mr Story's remains. Immediately after the alleged murder, the police scoured a number of parks and reserves around Port Lincoln, Detective Fielke said, and also the foreshore and waterways directly in front of the township. SA Police allege Julian Story was murdered about midnight on June 17. Picture: Supplied Former Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser has been charged with Mr Story's murder. Picture: Supplied After reviewing hours of CCTV footage and exploiting specialist equipment, the police identified new search areas this week, including scrubland around the Happy Valley Cemetery in the town and the Winter Hill Lookout. The police said they had located some 'items of interest' from the cemetery, including a T-shirt with Elvis printed on it, a wristband and a purple drink bottle. 'Those items have all been seized and have been put into forensics for further analysis,' Detective Fielke said. 'At this stage, we don't have the results of that testing yet.' But the detective confirmed that 'general searching' for Mr Story's remains had now ended. 'We've exhausted all the areas of interest that have been made known to us,' Detective Fielke said 'We will however go back and search if we receive specific information about where Julian's remains might be. 'But in terms of general searching in Port Lincoln, that has now stopped.' Detective Fielke said the police had been in contacted with Mr Story's family, and said they were happy with how the police and the community had helped them through the tragic development. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said the police had suspended their search for Julian Story's remains in Port Lincoln. Picture: NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe It is expected the family will hold a funeral for Mr Story on August 6. Mr Story's body was found on the afternoon of June 19 following a small fire at the unit and Ms Chesser was arrested in the yard of the home. Mr Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Ms Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland. At an earlier press conference, Detective Fielke said the cause of death is still being investigated and a motive remains unknown. 'We know they were in a relationship together, and I'm not suggesting that is a motive, but it is something that is being explored,' Detective Superintendent Fielke said in an update from June. Police allege Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking with a bag, dogs, and dressed in heavy clothing in the hours after Mr Story's death. Tamika Chesser walks past a petrol station in Port Lincoln. The police have reviewed several hours of CCTV footage to try and piece together what happened in the aftermath of the alleged killing. Picture: Supplied Ms Chesser has been charged with murder, destroying human remains, and assaulting a police officer. She is currently on remand at James Nash House, a psychiatric facility. On Thursday, Detective Fielke confirmed police had not yet spoken with Ms Chesser about the alleged murder or Mr Story's remains. 'We're not in a position yet to be able to talk to Tamika,' he said. 'We don't have the opportunity at this point of time to interview her. 'When we do, we will, and we're hopeful that she will be able to help us with some information.' Detective Fielke added he did not believe anybody in the town was 'holding out' information from the police. Ms Chesser starred in the second series of the hit reality TV show Beauty and the Geek in 2010, finishing in second place. She has also worked as a model for a range of brands including Target and appeared in men's magazines including Ralph and FHM, a profile for her on Star Now states. Her Instagram and Facebook social media profiles are filled with racy and glamorous images. Originally published as SA Police call off search for missing head of Julian Story allegedly killed by Tamika Chesser
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Sad update in search for man's head
South Australian Police have again suspended their search for the missing head of Julian Story, who was allegedly murdered by his former reality TV star girlfriend Tamika Chesser. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke announced on Thursday that searchers had failed to locate Mr Story's head, more than a month after his body was found at the couple's Port Lincoln unit about midnight on June 17. 'Unfortunately, we have still not been able to locate the missing remains of Julian Story,' he said. Thursday's announcement marks the second suspension of the search for Mr Story's remains. Immediately after the alleged murder, the police scoured a number of parks and reserves around Port Lincoln, Detective Fielke said, and also the foreshore and waterways directly in front of the township. SA Police allege Julian Story was murdered about midnight on June 17. Supplied Credit: Supplied Former Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser has been charged with Mr Story's murder. Supplied Credit: Supplied After reviewing hours of CCTV footage and exploiting specialist equipment, the police identified new search areas this week, including scrubland around the Happy Valley Cemetery in the town and the Winter Hill Lookout. The police said they had located some 'items of interest' from the cemetery, including a T-shirt with Elvis printed on it, a wristband and a purple drink bottle. 'Those items have all been seized and have been put into forensics for further analysis,' Detective Fielke said. 'At this stage, we don't have the results of that testing yet.' But the detective confirmed that 'general searching' for Mr Story's remains had now ended. 'We've exhausted all the areas of interest that have been made known to us,' Detective Fielke said 'We will however go back and search if we receive specific information about where Julian's remains might be. 'But in terms of general searching in Port Lincoln, that has now stopped.' Detective Fielke said the police had been in contacted with Mr Story's family, and said they were happy with how the police and the community had helped them through the tragic development. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said the police had suspended their search for Julian Story's remains in Port Lincoln. NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe Credit: News Corp Australia It is expected the family will hold a funeral for Mr Story on August 6. Mr Story's body was found on the afternoon of June 19 following a small fire at the unit and Ms Chesser was arrested in the yard of the home. Mr Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Ms Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland. At an earlier press conference, Detective Fielke said the cause of death is still being investigated and a motive remains unknown. 'We know they were in a relationship together, and I'm not suggesting that is a motive, but it is something that is being explored,' Detective Superintendent Fielke said in an update from June. Police allege Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking with a bag, dogs, and dressed in heavy clothing in the hours after Mr Story's death. Tamika Chesser walks past a petrol station in Port Lincoln. The police have reviewed several hours of CCTV footage to try and piece together what happened in the aftermath of the alleged killing. Supplied Credit: Supplied Ms Chesser has been charged with murder, destroying human remains, and assaulting a police officer. She is currently on remand at James Nash House, a psychiatric facility. On Thursday, Detective Fielke confirmed police had not yet spoken with Ms Chesser about the alleged murder or Mr Story's remains. 'We're not in a position yet to be able to talk to Tamika,' he said. 'We don't have the opportunity at this point of time to interview her. 'When we do, we will, and we're hopeful that she will be able to help us with some information.' Detective Fielke added he did not believe anybody in the town was 'holding out' information from the police. Ms Chesser starred in the second series of the hit reality TV show Beauty and the Geek in 2010, finishing in second place. She has also worked as a model for a range of brands including Target and appeared in men's magazines including Ralph and FHM, a profile for her on Star Now states. Her Instagram and Facebook social media profiles are filled with racy and glamorous images.
