The investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers inspected 10 boxes of structural supports shipped from China, discovering a concealed white powdered substance.

The PPSG, established at the Pacific Islands Forum in August, serves as a rapid-deployment police force to bolster security across the Pacific during major events and crises.

The woman had intended to fly to Sydney at the time of her arrest.

Further seized assets included three luxury vehicles (BMW M3, Audi Q7, and Porsche Cayenne) valued at about $250,000, as well as jewellery.

“This is an immense amount of illicit drugs which our officers have stopped from filtering through to the streets, hundreds of thousands of lives not put at risk due to these dangerous substances."

“Many victims of human trafficking and slavery offences may not understand the crimes committed against them, or they may not even identify as victims.”

The JOCTF worked closely with US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), leading to the interception of a consignment containing 1.728 tonnes of methamphetamine, 25kg of cocaine, and 5kg of heroin in California before it could leave for Australia.

A bag of the substituted drugs was discovered on a set of scales near a vacuum sealing machine.

The flight was diverted to Melbourne Airport, where AFP officers boarded the plane and removed the passenger, who had been restrained at the rear of the aircraft.

During the search, officers discovered clothing items containing a crystalline substance impregnated into the fabric.