Two French women have been charged with attempting to smuggle over 32 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia. The women, aged 19 and 20, were apprehended by officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) at Brisbane Airport on July 4, 2023, after arriving from a South-East Asian country. According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the officers discovered 32 individually wrapped bricks of white powder in their luggage, with an estimated street value of $29 million.
Both women face a serious charge of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance, which carries a potential life sentence. They appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 5, where they were remanded in custody. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 5, 2023.
Ongoing Investigation and Trends
The route taken by the pair reportedly mirrors that of four other women arrested in the same timeframe. According to police, two of these women also arrived in Brisbane from overseas. Acting ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff noted that it is “extremely unlikely” the accused women acted independently. He stated, “This is now four young women in less than two weeks detected by ABF officers at Brisbane Airport. Our officers are alert to these trends and will continue to adapt and respond decisively as we work hand in glove with AFP to disrupt and investigate.”
Authorities are focusing on these emerging patterns of drug smuggling, particularly involving young women. The ABF continues to work closely with the AFP to combat illegal drug importation and protect the borders. The significant quantity of methamphetamine involved underscores the scale of the challenge faced by law enforcement in addressing drug trafficking in Australia.
This incident not only raises concerns about drug smuggling routes but also highlights the ongoing issue of young individuals being exploited in such operations. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities committed to uncovering more about the network behind these activities.
