A Tanzanian merchant mariner has been charged after authorities discovered 3 kilograms of methamphetamine in his possession at Port Adelaide, South Australia.

The 50-year-old crew member appeared before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 10 November 2025, accused of attempting to import the illicit substance into the country. He was remanded in custody and is expected to reappear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 9 December 2025.

According to authorities, the investigation began on 8 November 2025 when a security officer contracted by Flinders Ports conducted a random baggage inspection as the crew member was leaving the vessel for shore leave.

During the routine check, three suspicious packages containing a crystal-like substance were allegedly found in his backpack.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers were called to the scene, and initial testing of the packages reportedly confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) were then notified, and the man was arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence under section 307.1(1) of the Commonwealth Criminal Code. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Following his arrest, the man was taken to Port Adelaide Police Station, where he was refused police bail. A subsequent search of the vessel by ABF officers did not uncover any additional suspicious items.

AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said the seized methamphetamine could have been sold as around 30,000 individual street deals, with an estimated street value of $2.7 million. She added that the impact of methamphetamine extends beyond drug users, affecting public health and safety.

She noted that law enforcement agencies remain alert to individuals attempting to misuse their access to port facilities for criminal purposes and warned that those caught smuggling drugs into Australia risk spending many years in prison.

Adam credited the alertness of the port security staff for preventing the drugs from entering the community and said authorities remain vigilant against attempts to exploit Australia’s international gateways for criminal activities.

Reference: Reuters