American teenager caught trying to smuggle 26kg of methamphetamine into Australia

The largest collection of vaporizers since the crackdown began has been seized in just one week. Up to 400,000 vaporizers have been stopped from entering Australia from three sea freight shipments from Asia. The Australian Border Force found illegal products worth an estimated $12.4 million.

The 18-year-old teenager was detained by Australian Border Force officers who inspected his two suitcases and discovered more than 20 packages wrapped in plastic.

Initial testing of the substance returned a positive result for methamphetamine.

The seized illicit drugs have a potential street value of more than $24 million.

Australian Federal Police officers were also notified and attended the airport to conduct further investigations.

The 18-year-old was arrested and charged with one count of importation of a border-controlled drug.

He was refused bail and will appear at Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court on July 24.

ABF Travel East Commander Rose Cracknell said the “significant” detection and seizure had prevented hundreds of thousands of individual street businesses from flooding Sydney streets and “potential harm” to many families.

“This particular detection shows how some individuals and syndicates are taking brazen risks by attempting to circumvent our borders,” Commander Cracknell said.

“Our ABF agents at the airport are highly trained in observing passenger behavior and rely not only on intelligence but also instinct to identify potential threats.

“This should also serve as a warning to any other travelers who wish to run the gauntlet and attempt to bypass our border controls: we will stop you in your tracks and take you to court.”

AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said the AFP worked “hand in hand” with the ABF to keep Australians safe.

“Criminal groups continue their efforts to import these insidious substances and the negative impact that illicit drugs have on the Australian community cannot be underestimated,” Detective Superintendent Fogarty said.

“This amount of methamphetamine could have been broken down into approximately 260,000 individual street sales.

“Our message remains clear: those who want to inflict harm on Australians, we will find them and bring them to court, where they could face life in prison.”

Community members are urged to report suspicious border-related activity through Border Watch at www.abf.gov.au/borderwatch