Latest news with #TroySokoloff
The Age
5 days ago
- The Age
French women charged with smuggling $29m of meth into Australia
Two French women have been intercepted in Brisbane and charged over a plot to smuggle more than 30 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia, with an estimated street value of $29 million. The pair, aged 19 and 20, were stopped on Tuesday, July 8 by Australian Border Force officers after they arrived at Brisbane International Airport from South-East Asia. ABF officers said the two women were targeted after intelligence reports showed similar travel patterns, including a multi-leg route into Australia, to a group of four women, also charged with smuggling drugs from overseas into Brisbane earlier this month. During an inspection of their luggage, officers located 32 individually wrapped bricks of white powder, which returned a presumptive test for methamphetamine. Acting ABF commander Troy Sokoloff described it as 'a textbook detection by frontline officers, who acted on clear warning signs and solid intelligence'. 'Our highly skilled officers at Brisbane Airport were able to act swiftly thanks to the exceptional efforts of our National Border Targeting Centre,' Sokoloff said. 'It is extremely unlikely these young women were acting alone – and 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.' After locating the powder, ABF officers handed the matter to the Australian Federal Police who seized 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, allegedly belonging to the duo, with an estimated street value of more than $29 million.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
French women charged with smuggling $29m of meth into Brisbane
Two French women have been intercepted in Brisbane and charged over a plot to smuggle more than 30 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia, with an estimated street value of $29 million. The pair, aged 19 and 20, were stopped on Tuesday, July 8 by Australian Border Force officers after they arrived at Brisbane International Airport from South-East Asia. ABF officers said the two women were targeted after intelligence reports showed similar travel patterns, including a multi-leg route into Australia, to a group of four women, also charged with smuggling drugs from overseas into Brisbane earlier this month. During an inspection of their luggage, officers located 32 individually wrapped bricks of white powder, which returned a presumptive test for methamphetamine. Acting ABF commander Troy Sokoloff described it as 'a textbook detection by frontline officers, who acted on clear warning signs and solid intelligence'. 'Our highly skilled officers at Brisbane Airport were able to act swiftly thanks to the exceptional efforts of our National Border Targeting Centre,' Sokoloff said. 'It is extremely unlikely these young women were acting alone – and 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.' After locating the powder, ABF officers handed the matter to the Australian Federal Police who seized 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, allegedly belonging to the duo, with an estimated street value of more than $29 million.
ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
Federal police charge two French women for allegedly importing 32kg of meth at Brisbane Airport
Two French women have been charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 30 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia in their suitcases. The pair, who are aged 19 and 20, were stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday last week after flying from a South-East Asian country, federal police said. The officers allegedly found 32 individually wrapped bricks of white powder in their luggage. Police said the drugs had an estimated street value of $29 million. Both women were charged with one count importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance, which can carry a life sentence. They appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 9, and were remanded in custody, police said. They are expected to appear again on September 5. The '"multi-leg route" taken by the pair was similar to another four women arrested last week, two of whom arrived in Brisbane from overseas, police said. Acting ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said it was "extremely unlikely" the alleged offenders were acting alone. "This is now four young women in less than two weeks detected by ABF officers at Brisbane Airport," he said. "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."
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Perth Now
Enormous cocaine haul intercepted
Authorities have intercepted a mammoth haul of cocaine worth an estimated $82m as it was smuggled into Brisbane in a shipping container. The Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police found the 253kg supply after receiving a tip about a suspicious container being imported. After X-raying the container, ABF officers found huge black plastic bags filled with a white substance, which was then tested and returned a positive result for cocaine. The bags were tucked away on top of pallets of polyethylene, a legal product used for packaging. Authorities seized 253kg of cocaine in Brisbane, worth $82m. AFP Credit: Supplied ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said the seizure was made because of vigilance and rapid action from the ABF and AFP. 'I want to commend the highly skilled officers in our supply chain and cargo teams who were vital to the interdiction of this dangerous consignment, thereby preventing significant community harm,' Commander Sokoloff said. 'To those criminal syndicates who mistakenly believe they can infiltrate our borders with illicit drugs, let this serve as a powerful warning: the ABF, in close collaboration with the AFP, have eyes and ears everywhere. 'Our sophisticated intelligence networks, advanced screening technology and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the community mean that your attempts will be detected, your drugs will be seized, and you will be held to account.' The massive haul of white powder was intercepted in a shipping container. AFP Credit: Supplied The black plastic bags were smuggled on top of pallets of polyethylene. AFP Credit: Supplied AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the AFP warned smuggled that Australia was committed to stopping drugs from crossing our borders. 'The people behind these crimes have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community every minute of every day,' Det Supt Telfer said. The AFP will investigate who was responsible for smuggling the cocaine, and urged anyone with information on the 'failed plot' to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- News.com.au
Authorities have seized more than 250kg of cocaine being smuggled through Brisbane
Authorities have intercepted a mammoth haul of cocaine worth an estimated $82m as it was smuggled into Brisbane in a shipping container. The Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police found the 253kg supply after receiving a tip about a suspicious container being imported. After X-raying the container, ABF officers found huge black plastic bags filled with a white substance, which was then tested and returned a positive result for cocaine. The bags were tucked away on top of pallets of polyethylene, a legal product used for packaging. ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said the seizure was made because of vigilance and rapid action from the ABF and AFP. 'I want to commend the highly skilled officers in our supply chain and cargo teams who were vital to the interdiction of this dangerous consignment, thereby preventing significant community harm,' Commander Sokoloff said. 'To those criminal syndicates who mistakenly believe they can infiltrate our borders with illicit drugs, let this serve as a powerful warning: the ABF, in close collaboration with the AFP, have eyes and ears everywhere. 'Our sophisticated intelligence networks, advanced screening technology and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the community mean that your attempts will be detected, your drugs will be seized, and you will be held to account.' AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the AFP warned smuggled that Australia was committed to stopping drugs from crossing our borders. 'The people behind these crimes have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community every minute of every day,' Det Supt Telfer said.
