Kiwi traveller accused of importing 21kg of heroin into Australia from Thailand

A 21-year-old New Zealand national will appear in a Sydney court today, accused of importing 21kg of heroin into Australia hidden inside his luggage.

Australian authorities say the amount of heroin, had it reached the community, had an estimated street value of more than $10 million – with the potential for about 100,000 streel-level deals.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the man for a baggage examination upon his arrival at Sydney Airport on board an international flight from Thailand, yesterday.

The 21-year-old's luggage. Photo / Supplied

Officers searched two suitcases belonging to the man and allegedly located 21 floral-patterned, vacuum-sealed bags containing a white powdery substance.

Presumptive testing of the substance returned a positive result for heroin, with an estimated weight of 21kg.

ABF referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation and the man was arrested on scene at Sydney Airport.

The man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to section.

This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Detective Acting Superintendent Aaron Burgess said the AFP was committed to disrupting criminal drug supply chains attempting to traffic drugs into Australia.

“Australian airports are not gateways for drug importation for criminal syndicates – anyone attempting to conceal illicit substances and enter our country will be caught and prosecuted,” he said.

Images of the drug bust provided by Aussie authorities. Photo / Supplied

“Organised criminal syndicates are driven purely by greed and attempt to exploit all avenues to smuggle harmful illicit substances into Australia.

“Australian law enforcement are united in our efforts to intercept these drugs before they can reach and harm Australian lives, along with the devastating domino effects that flow onto our health system and economy as a result.”

Border Force Superintendent Elke West said this detection is a good reminder to every passenger crossing our borders with illicit goods and substances – the risk is not worth the reward.

“The ABF uses a sophisticated layered approach to targeting passengers at our airports for examination,” West said.

“This detection demonstrates that our systems, technology, intelligence sharing and human judgement all complement each other to identify high-risk travellers before they can do more harm in our communities.

“Every time we intercept illicit drugs at our borders we are stopping them from reaching Australian communities. It’s a great example of how intelligence sharing between our partner agencies and officer vigilance matter every single day.”

The man’s arrest comes soon after two New Zealand women were accused of importing 36kg of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth $37.7 million, into Australia.

Karina Here McGaw and Emily Jade Grindlay, both 22, had their baggage searched after arriving at Melbourne Airport from Malaysia earlier this month.

Australian Border Force officers allegedly found a white crystalline substance in each of the women’s suitcases, totalling about 36kg, which later tested positive for methamphetamine.