British actress Emaa Hussen charged with trying to smuggle 320kg of methamphetamine into Australia in charcoal bags
British actress Emaa Hussen, 34, has been charged in Australia for allegedly trying to smuggle 320 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia, in a case that authorities said was worth an estimated $296 million (£157 million).Hussen appeared in a Sydney court on Thursday charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, an offense punishable by up to life imprisonment under Australian law.The actress is best known for playing Naz in the EastEnders spin-off E20which debuted in 2010. She also starred in the 2013 Jason Statham action thriller hummingbirdpublished in the United States as redemption.
Methamphetamine allegedly hidden in charcoal shipped from Ghana
According to investigators, Hussen and two alleged co-conspirators from South Australia were involved in a scheme to bring methamphetamine into Australia hidden in bags of charcoal shipped from Ghana.Australian Border Force officers began an investigation after discovering irregularities in two containers arriving at Sydney’s Port Botany in April.Authorities said an X-ray inspection of the container revealed suspicious contents. Further testing of the white crystalline material found inside the charcoal bag allegedly confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.Police estimate the seized drugs weighed approximately 320 kilograms and could have generated millions of dollars in illegal profits if distributed.
Police say Hussen supervised unloading operations
Investigators allege the drugs were secretly removed from the shipment before reaching its intended destination and then transported to a storage facility in Girraween, in Sydney’s western suburbs.Hussen later visited the facility and supervised several men as they unloaded the containers, police said. Authorities said some of the luggage was loaded into the vehicle and taken to a property in Blacktown.Police subsequently executed a search warrant at Huson’s residence, where Huson was arrested. During the operation, police allegedly seized 32 bags believed to contain methamphetamine, as well as electronic devices and a notebook.
Two more people arrested in Adelaide
Police also arrested a 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man in Adelaide as part of the wider investigation.Authorities allege the pair used false identities to rent storage units in Sydney in connection with cargo deliveries.
Authorities hail major drug seizure
Detective Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said the seizure prevented a significant amount of drugs from entering the Australian community.“The drugs seized have an estimated street value of $296 million, preventing 3.2 million potential transactions from reaching Australian streets,” he said.Australian Border Force Commissioner Jared Layton said criminal networks were increasingly using everyday items to disguise illegal substances.“Criminal groups will go to great lengths to conceal illegal drugs, including embedding them in common commodities such as charcoal, but our officers are trained to identify these methods,” he said.Hussen was previously denied bail and remains in custody. She is scheduled to appear in court again in August as the case progresses.
