One of the largest-ever known amphetamine smuggling attempts in New South Wales has been foiled, it was announced recently. Law enforcement authorities declared on Thursday 28 August 2025 that they have seized 900kg of amphetamines with an estimated street value of over $64 million.
Criminals attempted to smuggle the drugs by piggybacking on the shipment of a legitimate Australian business. An AFP spokesman commented that there are multiple incidents of illicit drugs being concealed by piggybacking on imports by legitimate companies.
Australian Border Force officers intercepted a shipment on 20 August 2025 at Port Botany after intelligence led them to a container labelled as “vegetable spring rolls.”
Inside, 100 boxes contained 600 rolls of plastic film wrapped around cardboard, each concealing roughly 1.5kg of amphetamine. A detector dog confirmed the presence of drugs, and testing verified the substance as amphetamine.
Police investigations are ongoing with search warrants executed at a North Shore home and a Western Sydney warehouse.
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that work by speeding-up brain-body signalling and inducing greater amounts of dopamine (which is linked to feeling pleasure and having motivation), norepinephrine (which is linked to increasing heart rate, breathing and blood sugar – and, so, it increases available energy), and serotonin (which is a mood-regulator that promotes feelings of happiness and well-being).
Overdosing on amphetamines can lead to a stroke, heart attack, hyperthermia (dangerous overheating), liver failure, kidney failure, and death. It is addictive and long-term use can lead to extreme weight loss, problems sleeping, problems with the heart, kidneys, teeth and gums, alongside higher risks of stroke and death.
