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       Teen from China charged over alleged attempt to import methamphetamine
       into Australia
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       Australian Federal Police have charged a 17-year-old boy from China
       with attempting to import 8 kilograms of methamphetamine into
       Australia after he was arrested in East Perth last week.
        
       The teenager was taken into custody last Thursday after a joint
       investigation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian
       Border Force and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (HKCE).
        
       On June 17, the HKCE intercepted the 8kg of methamphetamine hidden
       inside four stone statue bases bound for Western Australia.
        
       The methamphetamine was found hidden in stone statue bases.(Supplied:
       Australian Federal Police)
        
       The AFP executed a search warrant at an East Perth apartment, where it
       found 1kg of methamphetamine and evidence allegedly linked to the
       importation of a further 8kg, as well as scales and clip-seal bags.
        
       The boy has been charged with attempting to import a commercial
       quantity of a border-controlled drug, and trafficking a commercial
       quantity of a controlled drug.
        
       He fronted Perth Children's Court today, flanked by his mother and
       sister who flew from Hong Kong to attend.
        
       He did not apply for bail and is due to appear in court again next
       week.
        
       The HKCE also seized a further 4kg of methamphetamine and 500 grams of
       liquid methamphetamine in Hong Kong, charging a 27-year-old man over
       those drugs.
        
       ## 'Harm in every community'
        
       AFP Detective Sergeant Tom Blakeley said authorities were committed
       bringing down international drug trafficking networks.
        
       "These drug syndicates inflict harm in every community they operate
       in, and this matter is another example of the strong outcomes that can
       be achieved through a united law enforcement front," he said.
        
       "Methamphetamine is the second-most consumed illicit drug in
       Australia, and the seizures in Hong Kong and here could have accounted
       for about 90,000 individual street deals.
        
       "Across Australia, 27 people on average were admitted to hospital
       every day in 2021-22 for methamphetamine-related issues.
        
       "We are continuing to work with the Hong Kong Customs and Excise
       Department to identify everyone involved in trying to send the illicit
       drugs to Australia."
        
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       Select **"Western Australia Top Stories"** from either the ABC News
       home page or the settings menu in the app.
        
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