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

Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail

Three men have been sentenced to more than seven years’ imprisonment each in Western Australia in connection to methamphetamine found in a board game imported from Germany.

The men were sentenced by the Perth District Court on Friday (8 December, 2023) following a trial that concluded on 30 November, 2023, where they were found guilty by a jury on the charges faced.

The AFP launched an investigation after receiving a referral from Australian Border Force (ABF) in September, 2020, regarding the importation of border controlled drugs through the postal stream.

ABF intercepted a package destined for a parcel locker in Perth, which contained four board games.

Tests revealed a backgammon game had false compartments that contained packages of white crystals, totalling 991.6g of methamphetamine.

The AFP replaced the methamphetamine with a harmless substance and on 22 September, 2020, facilitated the delivery and notifications of the consignment to a parcel locker in Mount Lawley.

Police were watching that evening as a man, now 25, accessed the locker and removed the substituted consignment.

The man was arrested and as a result of enquiries, the AFP executed search warrants on 24 September, 2020, at properties in Meadow Springs and Baldivis, where two co-offenders were located and subsequently arrested and charged.

The men were all found guilty by a jury on 30 November, and were sentenced on 8 December, 2023, for attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5, by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). 

AFP Detective Acting Inspector Fleur Jennings said the case served as another warning to anyone who thought they could import drugs and fly under the radar of law enforcement.

“AFP officers are on the frontline every day working closely with ABF and other partners to identify and stop anyone involved in trying to supply illicit drugs into our communities,” Det A/Insp Jennings said.

“Methamphetamine is the most consumed illicit drug across Australia and causes immense harm to users, families and communities from a health, associated crime, and road trauma perspective.

“Across Australia, there were 10,100 methamphetamine-related hospitalisations in 2021-2022 – which equates to more than 27 every day on average. This has an impact on the health system that can negatively affect the entire community*.”

ABF Superintendent James Payne said the ABF played a vital frontline role in protecting the Australian community from criminal activity and the supply of harmful substances. 

“The Australian border is a critical national asset and our first line of defence against criminals who seek profits at the expense of our community’s safety,” Superintendent Payne said.

“These criminals rolled the dice, but have now found out that importing drugs is no game.

“We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure criminals like these are prosecuted to the fullest extent, at every opportunity.”

Sentence details:

• The 25-year-old, a New Zealand national and Australian resident, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of four years.
• A Meadow Springs man, now 23, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of four years and eight months.  
• A Baldivis man, now 27, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of four years.

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analysis of the National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD).

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 online at www.counsellingonline.org.au.
• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to www.turningpoint.org.au.