A New Zealand woman faces life in prison after being charged with allegedly attempting to import more than 38kg of methamphetamine through Sydney airport.
Australian border officials stopped two 35-year-old women, a Kiwi and an Australian, for a targeted baggage exam after they arrived from Singapore on December 20 last year.
Dozens of vacuum-sealed bags of a crystallised substance were found concealed underneath a small layer of towels upon inspecting the women's luggage.
Presumptive testing returned an initial positive result for methamphetamine.
CCTV footage showed the moment border officials opened the suitcases to uncover the illicit drugs.
Australian Federal Police officers arrested the women and charged them with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine.
The offence carried a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, with both women appearing at Sydney's Downing Court on Wednesday.
Australian border officials allegedly uncovered dozens of vacuum‑sealed bags of methamphetamine hidden beneath towels in the suitcases of two women, with both now facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. (Source: Supplied)
Australian Border Patrol Superintendent Elke West said officers were seizing "significant quantities" of illicit drugs at the border.
"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."
Detective acting Inspector Trevor Robinson said the organisation was committed to ensuring Australia remained a "hostile environment" for anyone who attempted to import drugs into the country.
"Stopping this consignment means stopping thousands of dollars in criminal profit and preventing immeasurable harm to Australian families."
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