British actress Emma Hussain
British actress Emma Hussain, 34, has been charged in Australia with an alleged attempt to smuggle 320kg of methamphetamine into the country, in a case authorities say involves drugs worth an estimated A$296 million (about £157 million).Hussain appeared in a Sydney court on Thursday after being charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, an offense punishable by life imprisonment under Australian law.The actress is best known for her portrayal of Nas in the spin-off show EastEnders E20which debuted in 2010. She also appeared in Jason Statham’s 2013 thriller. Hummingbirdreleased in the United States as Salvation.
Methamphetamine is allegedly hidden in charcoal shipments from Ghana
According to investigators, Hussain and two alleged accomplices from South Australia were involved in a plan to bring methamphetamine into Australia hidden inside bags of charcoal shipped from Ghana.The investigation began in April after Australian Border Force officers discovered irregularities in two shipping containers arriving at Port Botany in Sydney.Authorities said that an X-ray examination of the containers revealed suspicious contents.
Additional testing of the white, crystalline substance discovered inside the charcoal bags allegedly confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.Police estimate the seized drugs weighed approximately 320 kilograms and could have generated millions of dollars in illicit profits if distributed.
Police allege that Hussein supervised the unloading operation
Investigators allege the drugs were secretly removed from the shipment before they reached their intended destination and were then delivered to a storage facility in Girraween, in Sydney’s western suburbs.Police allege that Hussain later visited the facility and supervised the unloading of the container by several men. Authorities allege a number of bags were loaded into a vehicle and taken to a property in Blacktown.Officers later executed a search warrant at the house, where Hussein was arrested. During the operation, police allegedly found 32 bags believed to have previously contained methamphetamine, as well as electronic devices and a notebook.
Two more people arrested in Adelaide
As part of the wider investigation, police also arrested a 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man in Adelaide.Authorities allege the pair used false identities to rent storage units in Sydney that were linked to the shipment’s delivery.
The authorities praise the confiscation of large quantities of drugs
Acting Detective Superintendent Trevor Robinson said the seizure prevented a large quantity of drugs from reaching Australian communities.“The seizure of these drugs, with an estimated market value of approximately 296 million Australian dollars, prevented 3.2 million potential deals from reaching Australian streets,” he said.Australian Border Force Superintendent Jared Layton said criminal networks were increasingly using everyday products to hide illicit substances.“Criminal gangs will go to great lengths to hide illicit drugs, including incorporating them into ordinary goods such as coal, but our officers are trained to recognize these methods,” he said.Hussain was previously denied bail and remains in detention. She is scheduled to appear in court again in August as the case continues.
