About 320 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in a shipment from Ghana, has been interecepted by Australian authorities, preventing drugs worth an estimated A$296 million from reaching the country’s streets.
The drugs, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said, were discovered in two shipping containers that arrived at Sydney’s Port Botany from Ghana in April. The consignment had been declared as bags of charcoal.
According to authorities, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers became suspicious after detecting anomalies in the containers. During X-ray screening, officers uncovered a white crystallised substance, which preliminary tests identified as methamphetamine.
Subsequent forensic analysis confirmed the shipment contained about 320 kilograms of the illicit drug. Investigators say the seizure prevented an estimated 3.2 million street-level deals.
Authorities removed the drugs but allowed the shipment to continue to its intended destination, a storage facility in Girraween, under a controlled operation to identify those behind the importation attempt.
The investigation led to the arrest of three people, including 34-year-old British actress Emaa Hussen, who police allege supervised the unloading of the container after it arrived at the storage facility.
Emaa Hussen, who featured in an EastEnders spin-off and a Jason Statham movie, appeared in a Sydney court on Thursday after she was charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine into Australia. She was refused bail last month after being charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
A 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were also arrested in South Australia over allegations they attempted to facilitate the operation by securing storage units using false identities.
The couple, based in Adelaide, appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on May 1, 2026, where they were each charged with dealing in identification information using a carriage service with the intention of facilitating the possession of a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. They were also charged with failing to comply with a court-issued order under the Crimes Act.
They were remanded in custody and are scheduled to reappear on September 2, 2026.
AFP Detective, Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson, described the seizure as a significant blow to organised crime networks.
“The seizure of these drugs – with an estimated street value of $296 million – has prevented a potential 3.2 million deals from reaching Australian streets and demonstrates the AFP’s ability to operate seamlessly across borders,” he said.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to identify other suppliers and facilitators connected to the attempted importation.
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