US woman faces life in prison over alleged 12kg cocaine smuggling in Melbourne hotels
A 34-year-old American woman is facing a potential life sentence after allegedly smuggling 12 kilograms of cocaine into Melbourne's CBD. The woman arrived in Australia in early February and subsequently came to the attention of the Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police (AFP).
AFP investigators tracked the woman as she allegedly checked into multiple hotels across the city. On Friday, police apprehended the woman when she returned to one of several hotels she was using. Inside luggage believed to belong to the US traveller, officers allegedly discovered 12 kilograms of compressed white powder blocks, which tested positive for cocaine.
Forensic investigators are conducting further tests to determine the precise weight and purity of the seized substance.
The woman has been charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and one count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug reasonably suspected of being unlawfully imported. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
"The negative impact that illicit drugs have on the Australian community cannot be underestimated," said Australian Federal Police Superintendent Rick Briggs. "Our inquiries into this matter remain ongoing, and we will be looking to establish exactly what role this woman had in what we allege is a criminal network with the means and resources to import significant quantities of drugs into Australia."
The woman was expected to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday.
Jonathan Jackson, 10th February 2025
