Australian authorities have charged three people in connection with the alleged importation of 320 kilograms of methamphetamine worth an estimated A$296 million, concealed in two shipping containers that arrived from Ghana and were declared as charcoal.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the investigation began in April 2026 after the Australian Border Force (ABF) detected anomalies during routine screening of the containers at Port Botany in Sydney. X-ray examinations revealed a white crystallised substance hidden in the shipment, which forensic analysis later confirmed to be methamphetamine.

Authorities estimate the seized drugs had a street value of about A$296 million and could have been sold in up to 3.2 million street-level deals.

After removing the drugs, investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the containers to a storage facility in Girraween on 20 April 2026. Police allege a UK woman supervised the unloading of the shipment before some bags were transported to a residence in Blacktown, where she was later arrested.

Officers recovered 32 bags believed to have previously contained methamphetamine, along with electronic devices and a notebook. The woman has been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence punishable by life imprisonment. She was refused bail and is due to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court.

Further investigations led to the arrest of a 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man in Oakden, South Australia, on 30 April 2026. Authorities allege the pair attempted to rent storage facilities in Sydney using false identities to facilitate the movement and storage of the shipment.

The two have been charged with offences relating to the alleged use of identification documents to facilitate a serious drug crime and failing to comply with a court order. They appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 1 May 2026 and were remanded in custody until 2 September 2026.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said investigations were continuing to identify the suppliers and other individuals involved in the attempted importation, while ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said criminal syndicates often use legitimate cargo, including charcoal, to conceal illicit drugs.

Authorities say investigations into the wider network behind the shipment remain ongoing.