A 55-year-old Singaporean national has been charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle 32kg of methamphetamine and 8kg of cocaine into Australia, hidden inside his luggage on an international flight.
The man faced Downing Centre Local Court on 25 February 2025) following his extradition from South Australia.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers initially stopped him upon his arrival in Sydney on a flight from Malaysia on 20 February. He allegedly claimed he had no checked luggage and was cleared to leave the airport. However, ABF officers later discovered two abandoned suitcases on a luggage carousel, with identification tags bearing the man’s name.
Upon inspection, the suitcases were found to contain approximately 32kg of methamphetamine and 8kg of cocaine. The ABF referred the case to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which launched an investigation to locate the suspect.
Detectives traced his movements to Adelaide, where AFP officers arrested him at Adelaide Airport on 21 February as he attempted to board a flight to Malaysia.
The man first appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on 24 February before being extradited to New South Wales. He has been charged with:
- Importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- Importing a commercial quantity of cocaine, contrary to subsection 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Authorities estimate the seized methamphetamine has a street value of $29.6 million and could have been sold as approximately 320,000 street deals, while the cocaine is worth an estimated $2.6 million and could have been distributed in 40,000 deals.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said law enforcement agencies remain committed to disrupting criminal syndicates operating through Australia’s air travel networks.
“Illicit drugs destroy lives and remain a scourge for the wider community,” Det A/Supt Millen said.
“The AFP and its partners are working tirelessly to disrupt all levels and avenues of the drug trade and will stop anyone who tries to profit at the expense of our community.”
ABF Superintendent Elke West highlighted the vigilance of officers in detecting illicit drugs at Sydney Airport.
“Our message is clear: we will uncover these attempts at every opportunity and will work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure those responsible face the full force of the law,” Supt West said.
Support Our Journalism
The global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today—with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors—is doing just that. Sustaining this requires support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon
