In brief
Australian authorities arrested a 43‑year‑old Mexican man and a 47‑year‑old Vietnamese woman on charges of importing large batches of methamphetamine. The Mexican national was caught after 50 kg of the drug was seized in 20 metal cylinders shipped from Tijuana, while the Vietnamese woman was linked to a shipment of 800 litres of coconut water containing meth. Both face potential life sentences if convicted.
Australian police on Wednesday accused a 43‑year‑old Mexican and a 47‑year‑old Vietnamese of attempting to smuggle commercial amounts of methamphetamine into Australia.
The Australian Federal Police said the Mexican national was arrested after he accepted delivery of a shipment that carried 50 kg of methamphetamine in 20 metal cylinders, which had arrived from Mexico's Tijuana in August. He was apprehended at a property southwest of Sydney in September and charged with importing a commercial quantity of the drug.
Background
An investigation into the container shipment began in late July, when border officials intercepted the cylinders. The arrested man had provided a controlled delivery that led authorities to the Sydney property where the drug was stored.
In a joint statement from the AFP, Australian Border Force and New South Wales Police, officials said a 47‑year‑old Vietnamese woman was arrested over an alleged methamphetamine shipment hidden in 800 litres of coconut water. Border Force officers detected liquid methamphetamine mixed with the beverage in December 2025 and the woman was captured in northwest Sydney in September. Police allege she was involved in financing and coordinating the import attempt.
If convicted, both the Mexican national and the Vietnamese woman face maximum sentences of life imprisonment for importing commercial quantities of methamphetamine.
