Incriminating phone images implicate an American woman in the importation of $18 million worth of amphetamines smuggled into Sydney in household rugs, police allege.
The 55-year-old woman was stopped by Australian Border Force officers at Sydney Airport last month after arriving from Texas.
After discovering videos containing what appeared to be illicit drugs on her phone, investigators linked the woman to previously intercepted rugs, the Australian Federal Police said on Tuesday.
Almost 20 kilos of methamphetamine was found within the rugs.
The woman's videos allegedly showed how to access the drugs and contained manufacturing instructions.
She was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, with the maximum penalty being life in prison.
Chemicals and additional paraphernalia used for drug manufacturing were seized after police conducted a search of a house at Blacktown, in Sydney's west.
The woman previously lived there during her visits from the US.
ABF Superintendent Phillip Anderson warned people about being manipulated by organised crime syndicates into getting into the drug trade.
"It’s simply not worth it for you, and it’s not worth the potential harm you may help inflict on the Australian community," he said on Tuesday.
"Our officers are highly skilled in identifying attempts to import harmful substances, no matter how they may be concealed."
