Woman accused of smuggling $13 million worth of meth into Australia

A Canadian woman is scheduled to face court today charged with allegedly smuggling 14.4kg of meth into Australia concealed in her luggage.

The drugs were detected by Border Force officers when the 24-year-old landed at Brisbane International Airport on Sunday on a flight from Fiji and was selected for a baggage examination.

The woman started her journey in Vancouver, Canada.

Australian authorities say the meth, or methamphetamine, was allegedly found in plastic packages wrapped inside towels that had been soaked in vinegar and layered with coffee beans.

The accused faces one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The Australian Federal Police say the drugs seized was worth estimated $13.4 million, and could have been sold as almost 145,000 street deals.

Detective Acting Superintendent Steve Wiggins said every ‘hit’ of methamphetamine inflicted misery on the Australian community.

“Across Australia, there were 10,100 methamphetamine-related hospitalisations in 2021-2022 – which equates to more than 27 every day on average,” he said.

“Methamphetamine is also linked to further criminal activity such as drug dealing, property crime and violence.”