Organised crime syndicates made the naughty list in 2024, with more than 740 attempted drug imports intercepted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
Between 1 January and 1 December 2024, these consignments, smuggled via air and sea cargo, resulted in the seizure of more than 45 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
The festive season brought a unique twist, with some illicit drugs hidden inside Christmas gifts and others creatively concealed in everyday items like paint brushes, sandals, bath products, herbal tea, wine, and even underpants.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson expressed astonishment at the lengths criminal syndicates would go to. “Australia is one of the most attractive markets for transnational serious organised criminal syndicates because of the high prices their drugs can command,” she said.
“The AFP remains alert to the fact that syndicates are relentless in their attempts to flood our shores, with the sole motivation of profit and greed. Our message is clear: your efforts will fail – we are and remain a step ahead.
“The AFP and our state and Commonwealth law enforcement partners are well aware of the lengths criminals will go to as they evolve their concealment methods. The AFP doesn’t take a holiday and will be keeping watch, ready to act.”
In one case, ABF officers at the Melbourne Cargo Examination Facility detected nearly 9kg of heroin hidden in paint brushes sent from Vietnam. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Nigerian man. Another attempt in March saw a Taiwanese national stopped at Sydney Airport with more than 20kg of methamphetamine disguised as wine, herbal tea, and bath salts.
Criminal groups also used industrial machinery and commercial-grade equipment to conceal drugs. A major bust in July uncovered almost 900kg of methamphetamine, worth $828 million, hidden inside industrial machinery shipped from the United States. A Winston Hills man was arrested for his alleged involvement.
Some traffickers took extreme measures, carrying drugs within their bodies. In February, a WA couple returning from an overseas holiday were found with internally concealed heroin worth $127,500. After excreting 13 pellets, they were sentenced to a combined 11 years in prison.
New legislation introduced in May prohibiting the import of 1,4 Butanediol – a substance linked to overdoses and sexual assaults – helped law enforcement seize over 4200 litres within weeks. The dangerous liquid, labelled as essential oils, led to the arrest of two individuals in NSW.
An Italian national who attempted to smuggle high-purity ketamine hidden in Christmas gifts in 2023 had his own holiday spirit dampened after being sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
ABF Commander Ranjeev Maharaj echoed these sentiments. “Criminals think they are being clever by coming up with new ways of concealing harmful drugs, but our well-trained officers use not only modern technology and intelligence to detect these consignments, but also good old-fashioned officer intuition.
“Make no mistake, regardless of the creative way illicit drugs are hidden, we will work with the AFP to investigate and prosecute those responsible, and this occurs 365 days of the year – including over the festive season.”
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
