Two Adelaide women have been charged with serious drug offences following a joint operation between Australian Border Force (ABF) and South Australian Police Serious and Organised Crime Branch.
On 7 September 2023, the ABF led a joint agency activity with the SAPOL Serious and Organised Crime Branch and executed a Customs Act warrant at a Vale Park address.
This was part of an investigation initiated after ABF officers intercepted four parcels of candles imported from Canada, allegedly containing a significant quantity of pseudoephedrine contained within the candle wax.
As a result, ABF Investigations arrested and charged a 31-year-old Vale Park woman for importation offences. The woman and another female occupant of the property, aged 51 years were also charged by SAPOL for manufacturing a controlled drug, trafficking a large commercial quantity and money laundering offences, following the seizure of a clandestine laboratory, 16 litres of the drug fantasy and approximately $69,000 in cash.
Both were remanded in custody to appear before Adelaide Magistrates Court today.
ABF Inspector Steve Garden said the ABF worked hand in glove with SAPOL to investigate attempts to import precursor drugs like pseudoephedrine into the state.
“Pseudoephedrine is a commonly used ingredient to manufacture methamphetamine that ultimately ends up on the streets of Adelaide causing untold misery,” Inspector Garden said.
“We work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to disrupt criminal activities to bring the manufacturers of these harmful drugs before the courts. This collaboration is a vital part of our investigative work, without which our job would be much more difficult.”
Serious and Organised Crime Branch Detective Chief Inspector David Huddy said the joint agency partnership led to the discovery and seizure of a clandestine laboratory, that was inherently dangerous due to the highly volatile ingredients used and the process undertaken.
