A 23-year-old Chinese national has been arrested and charged in relation to the alleged importation of approximately 44 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine hidden in gel push-up bra inserts.
On 25 February 2016, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a targeted consignment of 36 cardboard boxes containing packets of the bra inserts that arrived at the Port of Melbourne from China. Initial testing of a coloured liquid contained within the inserts returned a positive result for liquid methamphetamine.
The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation. A subsequent search warrant of the man’s Box Hill North residence was conducted during which police seized the 36 boxes.
The 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and attempting to possess a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.5 and 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). These offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Commander Melbourne Office John Beveridge said police are investigating possible links with other operations where similar methods of concealment have been used to import other consignments of liquid methamphetamine.
“We will make every effort to seek out the organisers of this alleged importation in an effort to bring them to account for trying to exploit our community with this dangerous drug,” Commander Beveridge said.
ABF Regional Commander Victoria and Tasmania Don Smith said that this detection is yet another example that the methods used by the ABF to target illicit imports continues to return significant results.
The ABF and the AFP continue to work together to disrupt these criminal syndicates and today is another example of this partnership’s success in protecting the Australian community,” Commander Smith said.
Investigations remain ongoing and further charges have not been ruled out.
