A Tanzanian crew member of a cargo ship was remanded in custody after appearing before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court, accused of the alleged importation of 3 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia. He is scheduled to reappear in court on December 9, 2025, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The investigation began on Saturday, November 8, when a security guard contracted by Flinders Ports at Port Adelaide stopped the 50-year-old merchant seaman for a random luggage inspection as he was leaving for shore leave.
Police allege that during the routine check, three suspicious packages containing a crystalline substance were found in the man’s backpack.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers were notified and attended the checkpoint. Tests on the contents of the packages allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine, prompting the officers to alert the AFP.
“AFP investigators seized the packages and arrested the Tanzanian national, who was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth),” the AFP reported.
“The maximum penalty for this offense is life imprisonment. The man was taken to Port Adelaide police station, where he was refused police bail to appear in court that same day (November 10). Following the arrest, ABF officers searched the ship but found no other suspicious items,” they added.
AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam stated that this quantity of methamphetamine could have been sold in approximately 30,000 street-level deals, generating approximately $2.7 million for criminal networks.
“The harm caused by methamphetamine is felt across the community, from pressure on the healthcare system, increased road accidents, and risks to public safety,” Adam commented.
“The vigilance of the port security personnel helped protect the community, and the AFP works closely with various partners to prevent our international gateways from becoming part of the criminal supply chain,” she added.
The Superintendent also pointed out that “law enforcement is alert to those who attempt to use their access to facilitate criminal activity, and anyone considering bringing drugs into Australia should think about the consequences. If caught, you could spend many years of your life in a jail cell.”
ABF Superintendent Jody Griswood highlighted that the security guard’s actions demonstrated the close collaboration between the ABF and port authorities, with the common goal of protecting the maritime supply chain from criminal infiltration.
“Protecting our maritime border from exploitation relies on these key partnerships. Together we are making it as hostile as possible for criminals attempting to flood our shores with these harmful drugs,” stated Griswood.
