Two Women Caught With 38kgs of Crystal Meth at Australian Airport

Sydney - Two 35-year-old women are scheduled to appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court yesterday following a joint Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) operation that intercepted approximately 38 kilograms of methamphetamine at Sydney International Airport.

The defendants, identified as an Australian national and a New Zealand resident, were intercepted by ABF officers on December 20, 2025, after arriving on a flight from Singapore.

During a targeted baggage examination, authorities allegedly discovered dozens of vacuum-sealed packages containing a crystallized substance concealed beneath layers of towels in two suitcases.

Initial presumptive testing confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.

Following the discovery, the AFP took the women into custody.

Both have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offense under section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

“Our ABF officers are seizing significant quantities of illicit drugs at the border, removing profits from the hands of criminals and stopping their corrupt business model in its tracks,” said ABF Superintendent, Elke West.

“Organised crime groups will run the gauntlet and attempt to smuggle in their illicit goods by any means possible, and that includes exploiting young vulnerable travellers," West said.

 “Stopping this consignment means stopping thousands of dollars in criminal profit and preventing immeasurable harm to Australian families,” stated AFP Detective, Acting Inspector Trevor Robinson.

“The AFP remains committed to targeting, identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the importation of illegal drugs,” he said.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities look into the broader supply chain associated with the shipment.