A United States woman is expected to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today (8 February, 2025) after being charged with the alleged importation and possession of about 12kg of cocaine.
AFP began an investigation after receiving information from the Australian Border Force allegedly linking the US national, 34, to potential criminal activity.
AFP will allege in court the woman checked into several hotels across Melbourne’s central business district since arriving in Australia earlier this month and returned to one of the hotels late yesterday (7 February, 2025).
AFP investigators attended the hotel where the woman had returned and spoke to her.
Investigators later conducted a search at the woman’s hotel in the CBD, where they located a number of items of luggage allegedly belonging to her.
Examination of the bags allegedly identified a number of blocks of a compressed white powder, with presumptive testing indicating the presence of cocaine. The total weight of the substance suspected to be cocaine is about 12kg. The exact weight and purity will be the subject of further forensic examination. Investigators also located other evidence relevant to the investigation.
The woman was subsequently charged yesterday evening with the following offences:
- One count of importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to s307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment; and
- One count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug reasonably suspected of being unlawfully imported, contrary to s307.8 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Acting Superintendent Rick Briggs said the AFP is committed to targeting a variety of levels in the supply chain of illegal drugs – both at the border and beyond the border – to ensure the safety of the Australian community.
“The sole motivation of organised criminal networks is greed. The negative impact that illicit drugs have on the Australian community cannot be underestimated,” a/Supt Briggs said.
“Our inquiries into this matter remain ongoing, and we will be looking to establish exactly what role this woman had in what we allege is a criminal network with the means and resources to import significant quantities of drugs into Australia.”
