Austrian man jailed for importing meth in suitcase
Editor’s Note: Stills of the importation are available via hightail.
A 30-year-old Austrian man has been sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for importing 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed within the lining of a suitcase. The estimated street value of this importation is $1.3 million, and it could have resulted in more than 18,000 individual deals.
The man arrived into Sydney International Airport on a flight from Qatar in February 2019.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers detected anomalies upon a routine examination of the medium-sized suitcase the man brought with him. ABF officers located a substance within the lining of the suitcase, which tested positive to methamphetamine.
The detection was reported to Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers, who subsequently arrested the 30-year-old Austrian man.
He was charged with one count of importing of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
Further details into the detection and arrest can be found in the initial media release – Austrian man charged for allegedly importing meth through Sydney Airport
AFP Forensics calculated the pure weight of the methamphetamine to be 1837.5 grams.
In July 2020, the matter was heard at the Downing Centre Local Court where a jury found the man guilty of importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
He appeared via video link (2 October 2020) and was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of five years and six months.
Note to media:
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at www.counsellingonline.org.au.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to www.turningpoint.org.au.
Media enquiries
AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297
ABF Media: (02) 6264 2211