The 23-year-old woman arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Chile and was charged after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers found three packages containing cocaine in the lining of her suitcase.

In a statement, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the Brazilian national will be charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

ABF Acting Regional Commander NSW, Matthew O’Connor, said law enforcement agencies will continue to detect and disrupt the movement of illicit drugs into Australia.

“We are determined to protect the Australian community from dangerous and illegal drugs coming across our border,” Acting Commander O’Connor said.

“This arrest shows that bringing drugs across the border isn’t worth it. Those who try will be caught and prosecuted.”

AFP Commander Warwick Macfarlane, Manager Aviation, said the arrest serves as a reminder about the harsh penalties potential drug traffickers can face and the stringent measures applied at Australian airports to detect such activity.

– with AFP