Overview

• Australian Border Force officers uncovered 30 bricks of cocaine concealed in vinegar and chilli-soaked towels during suitcases searches at Brisbane Airport
• Two 18-year-olds arriving from Hong Kong were stopped on July 3 as alleged couriers and two other women aged 21 and 23 were arrested for allegedly arranging passports, tickets and accommodation
• The teenagers face charges of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance and the other women are charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity, each offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment
• All four appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 4 where three were granted conditional bail and one 18-year-old was remanded in custody
• Officials say the case highlights daily AFP and ABF cooperation and the use of intelligence-led targeting to disrupt evolving smuggling methods