Australia: Two French women charged with plot to import 32kg of methamphetamine

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped the pair, aged 19 and 20, on July 8 afternoon after they arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from Southeast Asia. 

They were targeted by ABF officers following intelligence reports and travel patterns similar to a previous group of four women charged last week, two of whom had arrived at Brisbane Airport from overseas. 

The similarities, particularly a multi-leg route into Australia, prompted closer scrutiny of the pair’s arrival.

During an inspection of their luggage, ABF officers located 32 individually-wrapped bricks of white powder. Examination of the powder returned a presumptive test for methamphetamine and the matter was handed over to the AFP. 

AFP officers seized 32kg of methamphetamine allegedly belonging to the duo. 

This seizure has an estimated street value of more than $29 million and could have equated to 320,000 individual street deals* 

The pair were subsequently charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

They appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 9 July, 2025 where they were both remanded into custody to reappear on 5 September, 2025. 

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Natalie Scott said the AFP and its law enforcement partners were committed to stopping criminal groups who tried to import drugs into Australia. 

“The AFP’s collaboration with ABF and other law enforcement agencies is critical to stopping offenders from bringing harmful drugs into our country,” Det a/Supt Scott said. 

“The aim of the AFP is to protect Australians and disrupt criminal efforts that bring them to our shores.

“It’s not the first time this month I’ve provided this message, but I cannot be clearer – anyone who attempts to import drugs will be stopped and met with the full force of the law.” 

Acting ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said it was a textbook detection by frontline officers, who acted on clear warning signs and solid intelligence.

“Our highly skilled officers at Brisbane Airport were able to act swiftly thanks to the exceptional efforts of our National Border Targeting Centre,” Acting Commander Sokoloff said.

“It is extremely unlikely these young women were acting alone – and rather that they were part of a broader network, and this result sends a clear message that ABF will continue to detect and disrupt these syndicates.”

“This is now four young women in less than two weeks detected by ABF officers at Brisbane Airport. Our officers are alert to these trends and will continue to adapt and respond decisively as we work hand in glove with AFP to disrupt and investigate,” Acting Commander Sokoloff said.