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This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force.

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A WA man has been sentenced by the Perth District Court to 9 years and 6 months’ jail for attempting to possess almost 11kgs of methamphetamine that arrived in WA via air cargo.

On 6 October 2021, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted and x-rayed a package at an Air Cargo Depot sent from the United States, labelled as ‘paint’ and containing a black paste, before referring the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The man, 34, was arrested by officers on 18 October 2021 after he and his alleged female co-offender took possession of the consignment.

Police will allege the woman, 31, collected the parcel from an apartment in Scarborough before meeting the man and travelling to another location to extract the drugs from a black paste in the parcel.

The man was arrested after attempting to flee the scene. Further information about the investigation can be found here.

The man pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

He was sentenced to 9 years and 6 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 5 years and 7 months. The man’s co-accused is still before the courts.

Had 11kgs of methamphetamine made it to the streets, it could have been sold as about 180,000 individual street deals and resulting in an estimated $18 million going into the criminal economy.

Across Australia, 33 people on average were admitted to hospital every day in 2020-21 for methamphetamine-related issues*. That has an impact on the health system that can negatively affect the entire community.

AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal said people need to be aware of the consequences of working for organised crime groups in their illegal supply chains.

“People who think they can make some quick cash from accepting a parcel or undertaking a small piece of work for a criminal group can find themselves facing charges that carry the penalty of life imprisonment,” Det. Supt. Chwal said.

“Transnational and serious organised crime groups do not care about you and will ultimately abandon you as soon as you are caught.”

ABF Superintendent Aviation Goods, James Payne, said ABF officers were committed to stopping harmful drugs such as methamphetamine from entering Australia at the border.

“This sentence should serve as a warning to others who think they can import illicit drugs by concealing them in packages in creative ways and this will somehow evade detection by our officers,” Superintendent Payne said.

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report

Note to media

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling
• Visit turningpoint.org.au for information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support.

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