British Actress Charged with Drug Smuggling in Sydney
Emer Hussen, a British actress, faces serious charges in Sydney for allegedly attempting to smuggle approximately $208 million worth of methamphetamine into Australia, hidden as “charcoal” from Ghana, according to various media reports.
Reports indicate that Hussen was arrested during a drug raid under suspicion of importing 320 kilograms of methamphetamine from West Africa. In a Sydney court on Thursday, she faced charges for trying to bring a commercial quantity of methamphetamine into Australia, an offense that could lead to a life sentence.
The 34-year-old actress gained recognition for her part in the 2013 film and the British soap opera spin-off of EastEnders, which debuted in 2010. Hussen was refused bail last month and is expected to appear in court once again in August.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced that they had alerted the Australian Border Force (ABF) in April after noticing irregularities in a shipping container arriving from Ghana. Upon inspection, the officers found the illegal drugs concealed in what was labeled as coal. Subsequent tests confirmed the substance was methamphetamine.
Reports suggest Hussen was at a storage facility where several men were involved in unpacking containers, with bags being transported to a residence in Blacktown. Subsequently, AFP agents executed a search warrant, leading to the actress’s arrest.
According to the AFP, authorities discovered 32 bags at the residence, including one that had allegedly contained methamphetamine. Additionally, electronic devices and laptops were confiscated, and further forensic examinations are planned.
Along with Hussen, a couple—a 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man from Adelaide—were also apprehended for allegedly attempting to lease a storage unit in Sydney to stash drugs while using false identities.
The AFP stated that investigations were ongoing as of June 18, aiming to clarify the couple’s involvement in the drug smuggling operation. They were remanded in custody and are set to return to Adelaide Magistrates Court on September 2.
Trevor Robinson, Acting Detective Superintendent of the AFP, remarked that this operation underscores the capabilities of the AFP and its partners in addressing complex issues across jurisdictions and disrupting organized crime activities.
He also highlighted that seizing these drugs—valued at about $296 million Australian dollars—prevented around 3.2 million potential transactions on Australian streets, showcasing the AFP’s efficiency in working across borders. ABF Superintendent Jared Layton added that while criminal organizations might cleverly disguise illegal substances, like embedding them in common items such as charcoal, their well-trained officers are adept at looking past these deceptions.
