German pensioners caught smuggling 22 pounds of crystal meth into Australia

By Alma Fabiani

Published Sep 6, 2022 at 11:19 AM

Reading time: 1 minute

35714

Two German pensioners were caught at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport with 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth.

The two 69-year-old travellers, who have since been identified by the names Wilfried and Vera D., arrived in Australia on 4 July after setting off on a flight from Zimbabwe and transiting through South Africa.

They were lucky enough to avoid getting stopped and searched until the Australian Border Force (ABF) decided to examine their luggage upon arrival at the international airport. The large amount of methamphetamine was found hidden in the lining of the duo’s two suitcases with images showing that they were wrapped in brown packages and labelled ‘evidence’ once they had been seized by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

As initially reported by UNILAD, the two pensioners were indicted with “importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).” In the country, such charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

In a news report shared by the AFP, Detective Sergeant Angy Polic said the law enforcement agency is working with its international partners to investigate the origins of the drugs seized and stated, “The likelihood that two people can act alone to source a commercial quantity of methamphetamine is rare—organised crime syndicates are often behind such importations.”

“The AFP continues to diligently work to identify and dismantle criminal groups responsible for the importation of illicit drugs into Australia, particularly those seeking to exploit the increased number of arriving flights catering for the resumption of international travel. The AFP and its law enforcement partners remain committed to disrupting organised crime syndicates who seek to harm Australians,” Polic continued.

The successful seizure of the crystal meth is estimated to have saved the community more than $4 million in “drug-related harm, including associated crime, healthcare and loss of productivity,” the AFP added.

Australian Border Force Commander Trade and Travel Operations East, Sue Drennan, also revealed that this is just one of the many attempts made by travellers to bring illegal substances into the country that the ABF has intercepted.

Tough luck, Wilfried and Vera, that’s what you get for trying to be gangsters at 69…

Keep On Reading

By Eliza Frost

Jessie Cave was banned from a Harry Potter fan convention because of her OnlyFans account

By Eliza Frost

Will Belly choose herself in the final episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty?

By Eliza Frost

The Life of a Showgirl or The Life of a Tradwife? Unpicking Taylor Swift’s new album

By Eliza Frost

Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law; this is what it means for you

By Eliza Frost

Controversial American Apparel owner just opened LA Apparel in NYC and TikTok girlies are flocking to shop

By Eliza Frost

Louis Tomlinson opens up about Liam Payne’s death and reflects on One Direction’s 15th anniversary

By Eliza Frost

The Summer I Turned Pretty is getting a movie. Could it be here in time for Christmas?

By Eliza Frost

What is Shrekking? The latest toxic dating trend explained 

By Eliza Frost

Are you in Group 7? Explaining the latest viral TikTok trend

By Eliza Frost

Hailey Bieber just listed all the beauty treatments she swears by

By Eliza Frost

Bad Bunny announced as halftime act for Super Bowl 2026—and conservatives aren’t too happy 

By Eliza Frost

Sabrina Carpenter says you need to get out more if you think Man’s Best Friend artwork is controversial 

By Eliza Frost

Online pornography showing choking to be made illegal, says government 

By Eliza Frost

Did Katy Perry just confirm relationship with ex-Canadian PM Justin Trudeau?

By Eliza Frost

Everything to know about Justin Lee Fisher, arrested at Travis Kelce’s home over Taylor Swift deposition papers from Justin Baldoni

By Eliza Frost

Vogue has declared boyfriends embarrassing, and the internet agrees

By Eliza Frost

NHS makes morning-after pill free at 10,000 pharmacies across England

By Eliza Frost

Kendall Jenner reveals plans to quit Kardashian fame for a normal job

By Eliza Frost

People think Donald Trump is dead and they’re using the Pentagon Pizza Index to prove it

By Eliza Frost

Misinformation spread by wellness influencers online is leading to falling contraceptive pill use