Queensland Police uncover alleged clandestine drug laboratory in Cairns

An alleged drug cook has been charged after police dismantled a Breaking Bad-style drug lab in North Queensland.

The 20-year-old man came undone when a package sent to him from Germany was intercepted by Australian Border Force officers at the Brisbane International Mail Centre on September 10.

Officers allegedly found a clip-sealed bag containing 433 grams of a powdery substance that tested positive for N, N-dimethyltryptamine, a psychedelic drug also known as DMT.

The package was addressed to a home at Trinity Park in Cairns and said it contained a dye concentrate for wool, silk, cotton and linen.

The Australian Federal Police executed a search warrant at the home on October 18 and allegedly found the clandestine laboratory inside a shed at the back of the property.

Police allege the makeshift lab was being used to manufacture DMT.

Queensland Police specialist investigators processed the lab and sent evidence for further testing.

The Trinity Park man was charged with importing a marketable quantity of border-controlled drugs, namely DMT, with the maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment if convicted.

AFP Acting Superintendent Josh Kinghorn said police had zero tolerance for anyone attempting to smuggle drugs into the country.

“AFP officers arrive at work every day committed to protecting Australia and keeping the community safe,” Superintendent Kinghorn said.

“The AFP will continue to work with our law enforcement partners.”

Australian Border Force Acting Commander Operations Queensland, Amanda Coppleman, said a large number of mail items containing border-controlled drugs were intercepted by the ABF each year.

“Collectively, the volume of intercepted small-scale drug importations equates to millions of deals on the street. Each and every one of those individual deals has the potential to cause death or serious harm,” Commander Coppleman said.

“In addition to the harm illicit drug use causes directly to individuals, there are devastating social impacts on families, and significant healthcare system costs.”

The man is expected to face Cairns Magistrates Court on Tuesday.