A shipment of hand sanitizer to Australia was a bit stronger than what was advertised on the label.
The Australian Border Force announced in a Friday statement that it had discovered a shipment of hand sanitizer and face masks, and when the bottles were examined, it appeared the bottles contained a “crystal-like substance.” After testing, authorities determined the bottles were actually filled with 800 grams of methamphetamine.
“We know criminals will go to any length to smuggle drugs into the country, so it’s no surprise they’re trying to use in-demand items such as masks and hand sanitizer to hide them in,” said John Fleming, ABF superintendent for international mail, cargo clearance, and systems support.
Source: The Australian Border Force Image Library
Fleming noted that ABF efforts to combat drug smuggling into the country did not stop or slow because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Sea containers are still being examined, and items being sent through the mail center or air cargo are still being screened,” he said. “We are continuing to detect and stop illicit substances coming into Australia, no matter how they’re being concealed.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the ABF for further comment.
In October, Australian authorities uncovered another bottle-borne methamphetamine plot. The ABF found hundreds of containers of Sriracha-branded hot sauce being transported into Sydney from the United States that contained some 880 pounds worth of the powerful stimulant. The narcotics had an estimated street value of more than $200 million.
