Police arrested a 19-year-old Canberra man after he arrived at Sydney Airport from Canada in September 2025. Photo: AFP.
A teenager was allegedly paid $3500 to smuggle what he thought were illegal vapes into Australia from Canada, but after he arrived, police found he was actually carrying kilograms of meth that could have been worth up to $15 million.
Border Force officers intercepted the 19-year-old from Canberra and examined his suitcase after he arrived at Sydney Airport on a flight from Vancouver in September 2025, an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesperson said.
While checking his bags, the officers allegedly found three packages containing 16 kg of a crystal-like substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine.
The AFP allege the teen, who was booked on a connecting flight to the Gold Coast, was approached by an unknown person over social media and offered $3500 to illegally import vapes from Canada to Australia.
The teen allegedly travelled to Vancouver on 23 September and collected the suitcase, which he believed contained vapes, before being stopped when he returned to Australia on 29 September.
“AFP officers seized the methamphetamine and the man’s laptop and phone for further forensic examination,” the police spokesperson said.
“No vapes were found in the suitcase.”
The teen was arrested and charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.
Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He was formally refused bail and remanded in custody to face the Sydney Downing Centre on Wednesday (26 November).
The brief of evidence was ordered to be served on defence lawyers by 28 January 2026, and the matter was adjourned to that date in the Sydney Downing Centre.
The teenager, who lives in the Woden Valley but is not named for the time being, made no application for bail and it was formally refused.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Aaron Burgess said anyone who offered money for the movement of illicit substances was not to be trusted.
“This seizure has prevented $14.8 million in potential drug profits going into the pockets of criminals, and the AFP and ABF continue to work together every day to detect and disrupt this activity,” he alleged.
Australian Border Force Acting Superintendent Christopher Hodkinson said criminal syndicates would go to great lengths to lure and exploit people for their own gain.
“Our message to people who are tempted by these types of illegal activities is clear: no offer is worth the risk,” he said.
@penfold, and a Treasurer who claims the budget is heading towards a surplus. Clowns! View