Woman’s lost luggage at Australian airport hid pounds of meth, officials say

A woman is accused of trying to smuggle drugs into Australia after arriving from California, officials said.

On April 10, the 50-year-old woman who had arrived from San Francisco told airline personnel that she couldn’t find her luggage at the Sydney Airport, according to a news release by the Australia Federal Police.

Her suitcase marked with her last name was found in the baggage claim area by airport staff, officials said.

After examining it, they found it filled with over 37 pounds of methamphetamine in vacuum-sealed bags hidden among packing cubes, officials said.

She was arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, which comes with a maximum penalty of life in prison, officials said.

This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Woman’s lost luggage at Australian airport hid pounds of meth, officials say."