SYDNEY: Australian police have charged a Malaysian who allegedly attempted to smuggle methamphetamine concealed in his bag at Sydney Airport, reported Xinhua.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a joint statement on Friday (March 20) that the 66-year-old man was sent for a baggage examination upon arrival in Sydney on a flight from Thailand on Thursday (March 19).
An X-ray of the man's suitcase identified anomalies and a subsequent search located 10 bottles, which were labelled as scented powder, containing 5kg of methamphetamine.
He was arrested and charged with one count of attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The AFP and ABF said it would be alleged in court that the man told officers he had been recruited through social media to courier the suitcase from Thailand to Australia in exchange for payment.
Two mobile phones were seized by investigators for forensic examination. – Bernama/Xinhua
