Australia charges Taiwanese man with smuggling meth hidden inside wine bottles, tea

Border force officers found packages allegedly containing 21.2kg of methamphetamine, which is also known as meth or Ice, concealed in wine bottles, herbal tea and bath salts in the man’s carry on luggage, the statement said.

The suspect was later charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

“Syndicates continue to come up with different ways to attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia, with this example under the guise of legitimate food and alcohol products,” said Rosemaree Cracknell of the Australian Border Force.

“Our [border force] officers are exceptionally skilled to identify and question travellers who may be attempting to import illicit substances into our country.”

Sydney Airport Police Commander Morgen Blunden said the officers were committed to stamping out criminality in the airport, including by transnational drug syndicates.

“Despite all the risks involved, we are still arresting people attempting to bring illicit drugs into our country through our airports,” he said.

“No matter how elaborate or creative the attempts are, the [police] and our partners are working tirelessly to prevent airports being used as part of the criminal supply chain.”

According to a report by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission published earlier this month, some A$10.5 billion (US$6.8 billion) was spent on meth in the country between August 2022 and August 2023.

Waste water analysis showed a 1.5 tonne increase to 10.5 tonnes in national consumption of the drug. Commission chief Heather Cook said that the rise in meth consumption was particularly concerning “because of the significant community harms it causes”.