A Geelong man has been charged over trying to import around 2,500 methadone pills into Melbourne after arriving on a flight from Thailand.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the 48-year-old was arrested at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday, after Australian Border Force officers X-rayed his luggage.
Police said a subsequent examination found five plastic bags containing nine kilograms of the opioid hidden inside.
AFP Detective Superintendent Celeste Johnston said the quantity seized equated to more than four times the commercial quantity threshold.
"Australia's border is not an open door for people seeking to import bulk quantities of controlled drugs," Superintendent Johnston said.
"Quantities of this scale have the potential to cause significant harm if diverted into the illicit market."
The man was charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, with both charges carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday, where he was granted bail and scheduled to appear before court again on January 7.
Australian Border Force Acting Superintendent Costas Karatzas warned that travellers who attempted to unlawfully import border-controlled drugs faced severe penalties.
"Our message to anyone who thinks it's a good idea to smuggle illicit substances into Australia is to think again," he said.
"Such poor decisions will ultimately land offenders with lengthy jail time, including up to life imprisonment.
Acting Superintendent Karatzas said the harm casued to the community by illicit and controlled drugs was "profound".
"Lives are cut short, and it brings with it a whole range of long-lasting health impacts and adverse societal outcomes," he said.
"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, including the AFP, to prevent these illicit substances from entering Australia and target those who attempt to bring them in unlawfully."
