Two women in court over alleged 38kg meth import hidden in suitcases

Two women will return to court after allegedly attempting to import more than 38kg of methamphetamine into Sydney hidden inside two suitcases.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped two women – an Australian resident and New Zealand resident, both aged 35 – for a targeted baggage exam after they arrived from Singapore on Saturday 20 December 2025.

Upon inspecting the women’s luggage, ABF officers located dozens of vacuum sealed bags of a crystallised substance, concealed underneath a small layer of towels.

Presumptive testing returned an initial positive result for methamphetamine.

A short time later, officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested the women, where they were later charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).

The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

They will both reappear at Sydney’s Downing Centre today.

ABF Superintendent Elke West said officers are attuned to emerging trends, observing passenger behaviour and intelligence to assess who or what may be an inbound threat.

“Our ABF officers are seizing significant quantities of illicit drugs at the border, removing profits from the hands of criminals and stopping their corrupt business model in its tracks,” Supt West said.

“Organised crime groups will run the gauntlet and attempt to smuggle in their illicit goods by any means possible, and that includes exploiting young vulnerable travellers.