2 charged over methamphetamine seizure at Melbourne Airport

MELBOURNE, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Two New Zealand nationals have been arrested and charged after 36 kg of methamphetamine was allegedly found in their luggage at Australia's Melbourne Airport.

A joint statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) said on Wednesday that the methamphetamine was seized after two women, both New Zealand citizens aged 22, were selected for a baggage examination on arrival at Melbourne Airport from Malaysia on Monday.

During the search, ABF officers allegedly located a white crystalline substance in each of the women's suitcases. Subsequent testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine, with a total weight of 36 kg.

The case was turned over to the AFP, who arrested the women and charged them with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

Both offenses carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment.

According to the AFP, the seized volume of methamphetamine had an estimated street value exceeding 33 million Australian dollars (21.3 million U.S. dollars).