U.S. National Allegedly Imported Meth Into Australia

A U.S. national allegedly imported more than a kilogram of methamphetamine into Australia and redistributed them by mail.

The defendant was arrested as a result of a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Victoria Police. The investigation began on September 10, 2020, after the ABF intercepted a suspicious packaged imported from France that had five bottles of hair products. The ABF officers reportedly tested samples of the product contained in the bottles and it tested positive for methamphetamine. The five bottles carried a total of 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

After seizing the methamphetamine, the ABF handed the investigation to the AFP. The AFP investigated a residence at Collingwood, Melbourne, identified as the recipient of the seized methamphetamine. Investigators established that the defendant was the last known resident at the address on the package. On September 23, AFP and Victoria Police officers executed a search warrant on the residence.

The AFP arrested the defendant on September 25 at another residence in Ringwood, Melbourne. The investigators alleged that after importing the drugs the defendant distributed them by mail to buyers throughout in Australia.

The defendant was charged with one count each of importation of a commercial quantity of meth, attempted possession of a commercial quantity of meth and trafficking cocaine.

The AFP is actively investigating suspected accomplices, according to their announcement.