Australia charges Taiwanese man with smuggling meth hidden inside wine bottles, tea

The 27-year-old arrived on a flight from Thailand with 21.2kg of methamphetamine concealed in wine bottles, herbal tea and bath salts, police said

Investigators estimate US$6.8 billion was spent on meth in Australia in the year to August amid a concerning rise in consumption

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Loose leaf tea and other products police say were used in the attempt to smuggle methamphetamine into Australia. Photo: Australian Border Force / Handout

Published: 11:13am, 24 Mar 2024

A Taiwanese man was charged for allegedly smuggling more than 20kg of methamphetamine into Australia concealed in herbal tea, wine bottles and bath salts, authorities said on Sunday.

The 27-year-old arrived in Sydney on a flight from Thailand on Tuesday, the Australian Federal Police said in a statement.

Border force officers found packages allegedly containing 21.2kg of methamphetamine, which is also known as meth or Ice, concealed in wine bottles, herbal tea and bath salts in the man’s carry on luggage, the statement said.

Wine bottles that Australian police say were used in the smuggling attempt by a Taiwanese man. Photo: Australian Border Force / Handout

The suspect was later charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

“Syndicates continue to come up with different ways to attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia, with this example under the guise of legitimate food and alcohol products,” said Rosemaree Cracknell of the Australian Border Force.

“Our [border force] officers are exceptionally skilled to identify and question travellers who may be attempting to import illicit substances into our country.”

Sydney Airport Police Commander Morgen Blunden said the officers were committed to stamping out criminality in the airport, including by transnational drug syndicates.