What was found in the Sydney woman's luggage?

Approximately 15kg of methamphetamine, disguised as 'tea', valued at over $13 million.

What charges does the Sydney woman face?

She has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

What is the penalty for drug smuggling in Australia?

Drug smuggling carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Home / Crime and Justice / Sydney Woman Faces Life Over $13M Meth 'Tea' Bust

Sydney Woman Faces Life Over $13M Meth 'Tea' Bust

28 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A woman was arrested at Sydney Airport with $13 million of drugs.
She allegedly labeled 15kg of methamphetamine as 'tea' in her luggage.
The suspect faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Sydney Woman Faces Life Over $13M Meth 'Tea' Bust

Australian Border Force officers apprehended a 40-year-old woman at Sydney International Airport on Friday after discovering a significant drug haul in her luggage. The woman, from Bonnyrigg in Sydney's west, was subjected to a routine examination upon arrival.

During the inspection, officers uncovered 18 vacuum-sealed bags within her suitcase, all deceptively labeled as 'tea'. These bags allegedly contained a crystalline substance, which initial testing identified as methamphetamine. The Australian Federal Police seized the drugs, estimated to weigh 15 kilograms and possess a street value exceeding $13 million.

The woman has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, a serious offense that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden issued a stern warning, emphasizing that drug trafficking, whether intentional or not, is a criminal act with dire consequences, including lengthy prison sentences, and fuels societal harm.