The AFP has charged a Queensland man over the alleged importation of 2kg of methamphetamine, sent from Canada to Queensland, hidden inside two clothing parcels.
The Alexandra Hills man, 21, is due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court today (21 April, 2023) following his arrest on Friday 17 March 2023.
The man was arrested by AFP officers after he allegedly accepted delivery of one package that had contained 1kg methamphetamine, before it was seized and covertly replaced with a harmless substance by police.
An investigation was launched on 8 March 2023 after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Brisbane identified anomalies in two consignments addressed to an Alexandra Hills home.
ABF officers opened the packages and allegedly found sealed plastic bags hidden within jumpers containing a crystalline substance that returned a positive reading for methamphetamine.
The matter was referred to the AFP for investigation and forensic testing established the substance was about 2kg of methamphetamine.
AFP officers substituted the methamphetamine with an inert substance and arranged for one package to be delivered to a home in Alexandra Hills, where the man allegedly accepted the delivery.
He was arrested and remanded in custody to reappear today.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said illicit drug use burdened the Australian economy and Australian taxpayers.
“The estimated total social cost for every kilogram of methamphetamine is more than $226,000, through crime, loss of productivity, emergency response and increased health care expenses,” he said.
“That is why the AFP works closely with our Commonwealth partners, like ABF, to prevent methamphetamine and other harmful drugs from reaching our streets and work so hard to identify those who try to profit from the misery they cause.”
ABF Commander James Copeman said that, once again, effective collaboration between the AFP and ABF had prevented significant harm for the community.
“Our highly trained officers at the border continue to use their well-honed skills to detect attempted illegal imports. We will stop at nothing to prevent the scourge of illegal drugs and the incredibly damaging impact they have on the Australian community,” Commander Copeman said.
“Our message is simple – do not attempt to import narcotics. We will detect your attempt and, working with our partners, you will face the full legal consequences.”
The man has been charged with:
- One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to section 307.5(1) and section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
These offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.