A 39-year-old Bonner woman will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today, 24 November, on commercial drug importation charges arising from an ongoing police investigation.

On Wednesday, 3 November 2021, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a parcel scheduled for delivery to an address in Bonner. Analysis of the parcel’s contents confirmed it contained approximately 4.5 kilograms of methylamphetamine, and the investigation was subsequently referred to ACT Policing.

The drugs were replaced with an inert substance and ACT Policing tracked the delivery of the parcel to the Bonner residence on Wednesday, 17 November 2021.

ACT Policing Drugs and Organised Crime Team executed a search warrant at the residence a short time later and arrested the woman. As a result of further investigations, the woman will face charges of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported drug in court today.

ACT Policing Criminal Investigations Officer in Charge, Organised Crime, Detective Inspector Mark Steel, said ACT Policing and the ABF will continue to work cooperatively to target the importation of illegal drugs into the ACT.

“This operation has stopped up to 45,000 street deals from entering the ACT community, with an estimated street value of in excess of four million dollars,” said Detective Inspector Steel.

“Methylamphetamine is an insidious, highly-addictive drug that damages families, causes harm to the community, and it is linked to violent crimes.”

ABF Commander National Port Operations, Leo Lahey said this operation is another example of how the ABF and its law enforcement partners work together to keep the Australian community safe.

“Through close partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, we will continue to disrupt criminal syndicates attempting to distribute harmful drugs across the country,” Commander Lahey said.

“No matter how criminals attempt to conceal and move their drugs, ABF officers have the skills, technology and resources to find the substances and track down the people who are attempting to bring them in.

“Our message to criminals is clear. If you attempt to distribute these destructive substances, we will find you and you will face the full force of the law.”

Anyone with information about the importation, distribution, manufacture or supply of drugs in the ACT is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

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