Elderly German travellers Wilfried and Vera D, both aged 69, appeared in Downing Centre Local Court last week after being charged with importing methamphetamine through Sydney International Airport.
On arrival, their luggage was examined by Australian Border Force officers, where a total of 10 kilograms of methamphetamine was allegedly concealed in the lining of two suitcases – a total street value of $4 million.
The man and woman left on a flight from Zimbabwe, transiting through South Africa, before reaching Sydney on July 4, 2022.
AFP officers seized the illicit drugs and charged the man and woman with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine.
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Sergeant Angy Polic said the AFP is working with its international partners to investigate the origins of the methamphetamine seized at Sydney Airport.
“The likelihood that two people can act alone to source a commercial quantity of methamphetamine is rare – organised crime syndicates are often behind such importations,” Detective Sergeant Polic said.
“The AFP continues to diligently work to identify and dismantle criminal groups responsible for the importation of illicit drugs into Australia, particularly those seeking to exploit the increased number of arriving flights catering for the resumption of international travel.”
The pair appeared in Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on August 31, but details about the hearing have not been made public.
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