A 17-year-old Chinese national has been sentenced to six years and seven months in prison after his involvement in a botched attempt to smuggle 5.4kg of methamphetamine into Australia and traffic it in Western Australia.
The Perth Children’s Court handed down the sentence on 11 December 2024, setting a non-parole period of three years and one month.
The juvenile’s crimes came to light following a collaborative investigation between Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), and Hong Kong authorities.
The operation began in June 2024 when ABF officers in Sydney intercepted a shipment from Hong Kong containing 6kg of cocaine. Intelligence shared by the ABF and AFP with Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (HKCE) led to the seizure of packages containing 5.42kg of methamphetamine hidden inside stone statue pedestals.
These packages were addressed to an East Perth apartment where the juvenile resided. A subsequent AFP search on 25 June 2024 uncovered evidence of drug trafficking, including more than 850 grams of methamphetamine stored in a fridge, drug distribution tools, and packaging materials.
The teen, who arrived in Australia in March 2024, pleaded guilty on 7 November 2024 to two charges: attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and trafficking in a marketable quantity of methamphetamine. His sentence was backdated to his arrest in June.
Detective Acting Inspector Tom Blakeley of the AFP highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating drug syndicates. “Drug trafficking syndicates cause harm in every country they operate,” he said.
“The seizure of 5.4kg of methamphetamine in Hong Kong and another 850 grams here prevented about 62,500 street deals in WA.”
ABF Acting Superintendent John Sweet echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for cross-border collaboration to disrupt syndicates targeting Australia’s lucrative drug market.
A HKCE spokesperson urged the public to avoid involvement in drug trafficking, warning against carrying unknown items for others or accepting suspicious work offers.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that 27 Australians were hospitalised daily in 2021–22 due to methamphetamine-related issues, underscoring the significant harm caused by the illicit drug trade.
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