New South Wales man charged after allegedly trying to smuggle 3kg of meth through Perth Airport from Thailand

A 77-year-old man has been charged after allegedly trying to smuggle about 3kg of methamphetamine through Perth Airport in a backpack last month. Australian Border Force officers examined the New South Wales man’s empty backpack at the airport on October 23 after noticing a “strong smell of glue”, “irregularities around the seams” and an “unusual weight”. The man had arrived in Perth from Thailand. Officers allegedly found two packages of a “white crystalline substance” hidden in the bag’s lining after receiving a “positive reaction” from drug dogs. Forensic testing later revealed about 3kg of meth had been allegedly concealed in the bag. The AFP is still investigating the source of the drugs. AFP acting superintendent Chris Colley said the meth was worth about $2.77 million. “If 3kg of methamphetamine had reached the community, it would have facilitated at least 30,000 street deals of 0.1g,” he said. “Methamphetamine and other illicit drugs cause immense health, social and financial harms, which is why the AFP and our partners work tirelessly to stop these substances from reaching Australia.” The man will front Perth Magistrates Court on Friday charged with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine. “This detection should serve as a warning to all travellers, regardless of age, who wish to run the gauntlet and attempt to bypass our border controls,” ABF acting superintendent John Sweet said. “We will stop you in your tracks and together with our law enforcement partners we will ensure you find yourself before the courts,” he said.