A 62-year-old Gold Coast man faced Brisbane Arrest Court on 6 September 2025 after allegedly attempting to smuggle about 35 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia hidden in his luggage.
The man was stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on arrival from Los Angeles at Brisbane Airport on 5 September.
A baggage examination allegedly uncovered 12 plastic-sealed bags of a white crystallised substance in his suitcases.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Shane Scott said the seizure highlighted the constant vigilance of airport border operations.
“Our borders at airports are patrolled actively and diligently … this seizure stops millions of dollars from reaching criminals’ pockets.”
ABF Commander Operations Queensland Troy Sokoloff said the case was a clear warning.
“Methamphetamine destroys lives and families … if you attempt to smuggle drugs into Australia, you will be caught.”
Presumptive testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $11.4 million — equivalent to about 17,500 individual street-level deals.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers arrested the man and charged him with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
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