SYDNEY, March 24 (Bernama-dpa): A Taiwanese man was charged for allegedly smuggling more than 20 kilogrammes of methamphetamine into Australia concealed in herbal tea, wine bottles, and bath salts, authorities said on Sunday, reported dpa news.
The 27-year-old man arrived in Sydney on a flight from Thailand on Tuesday, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement.
Border force officers found packages allegedly containing 21.2 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, which is also known as meth or ice, concealed in wine bottles, herbal tea and bath salts in the man's carry-on luggage, the statement said.
He was later charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
"Syndicates continue to come up with different ways to attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia, with this example under the guise of legitimate food and alcohol products," said Rosemaree Cracknell of the Australian Border Force (ABF).
"Our ABF officers are exceptionally skilled to identify and question travellers who may be attempting to import illicit substances into our country."
According to a report by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) published earlier this month, some $10.5 billion Australian (US$6.8 billion) were spent on meth in the country between August 2022 and August 2023.
Wastewater analysis showed a 1.5 tonne increase to 10.5 tonnes in national consumption of the drug. ACIC boss Heather Cook said that the rise in meth consumption was particularly concerning "because of the significant community harms it causes." - Bernama-dpa
