Man Arrested at Brisbane Airport After $11m Meth Seizure
A 62-year-old Gold Coast man has been arrested and charged after authorities allegedly discovered 35 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in his luggage at Brisbane Airport.
The arrest was made on Friday when the man arrived on a flight from Los Angeles. Officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) requested to examine his luggage. Inside, they allegedly found 12 plastic-sealed bags containing a white crystalline substance. Initial testing confirmed the substance was methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $11.4 million.
Arrest and Charges
The man was immediately taken into custody and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. This is one of the most serious offences under Australian law and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He was scheduled to appear in a Brisbane court on Saturday, where prosecutors are expected to argue against bail given the seriousness of the offence.
Authorities’ Response
ABF Commander Operations Queensland Troy Sokoloff said intelligence efforts were key in identifying the suspect before the seizure.
“Methamphetamine destroys lives and families, and this seizure sends a strong message to those who attempt to smuggle drugs into Australia – you will be caught,” he said.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Shane Scott praised the collaboration between federal police and border officers, noting the ongoing threat posed by international drug trafficking networks.
“Our borders at airports are patrolled actively and diligently by the AFP and ABF to target illegal drugs coming into the country,” Scott said.
“This seizure could have equated to 17,500 individual street-level deals of 0.2 grams, with an estimated street value of $11.4 million now no longer destined for the pockets of criminals.”
A Major Blow to Drug Smuggling
Australian authorities have long warned that the nation remains a prime target for international drug smugglers because of its high street prices for methamphetamine and other narcotics. Even small shipments can be highly profitable, encouraging traffickers to attempt risky smuggling methods.
The seizure at Brisbane Airport represents a significant disruption to the illicit drug trade. Officials noted that the quantity seized was enough to fuel thousands of individual transactions across Australian communities.
Next Steps
The man remains in custody while investigations continue into whether he acted alone or was part of a wider trafficking operation. Police are also working to trace the origins of the shipment and identify any overseas suppliers connected to the drugs.
Both the AFP and ABF reiterated that they will continue to use intelligence-led policing and joint operations to intercept narcotics at Australia’s airports and borders.
For now, authorities have described the seizure as a “major success” in their fight against international drug smuggling and a reminder of the severe consequences for those who attempt it.
