A 31-year-old American woman is set to appear before the New South Wales Bail Division Court today after allegedly attempting to smuggle 20 kilograms of cocaine into Australia hidden in her luggage.
AFP Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the cocaine haul could have equated to more than 100,000 street-level deals.
“The AFP and ABF are still regularly finding and arresting people willing to risk decades in jail by trafficking illicit drugs through our airports,” Supt Blunden said.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped the woman on arrival at Sydney Airport from Los Angeles yesterday, conducting a baggage examination that uncovered 14 vacuum-sealed bags containing a white substance. Tests returned a presumptive positive result for cocaine, with an estimated street value of $6.5 million.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers arrested the woman and charged her with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
ABF Superintendent Elke West praised the officers’ vigilance, noting the seizure was a result of intelligence-led operations and close collaboration between agencies.
“Our skilled approach to targeting and assessing potential passenger threats continues to catch sneaky crooks,” Supt West said.
Authorities said the case highlights the ongoing efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and prevent illicit substances from reaching Australian streets.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
