A pair of artistic and seemingly carefree young women have been revealed as the duo allegedly at the centre of a Mexican cartel’s attempt to import 24 kilograms of ice into Australia.
Rose Thomas and Norma Zuniga Frias, both 25, were arrested last Thursday after police intercepted the $21million shipment, which was on its way to a Sydney address concealed inside eight home audio speakers.
They now face maximum sentences of life behind bars after being charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of the drug, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Neither Mexican national Frias or Australian Thomas have entered pleas to the charges.
Rose Thomas (left) and Norma Zuniga Frias (right), both 25, were arrested last Thursday after police intercepted a $21million shipment of ice on its way to a Sydney address
The pair (pictured) had spent the years before their arrest travelling together to Disneyland, Berlin and Tasmania
They now face maximum sentences of life behind bars after being charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of the drug. Pictured is the ice shipment intercepted by Australian Border Force officers
The pair had spent the years before their arrest travelling together to Disneyland, Berlin and Tasmania.
Thomas and Frias were also part of a revolving group that would share a house in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner-west, and were occasionally heard by neighbours singing at night or seen riding their bikes.
They ran a handmade socks label called Chicken Sox, specialising in colourful and quirky pairs for $10 each.
Meanwhile, Frias produced her artwork that mainly focuses on gay rights and sexual themes.
Thomas (left) and Frias (right) were arrested last Thursday and accused of being at the centre of a Mexican cartel’s attempt to import 24 kilograms of ice into Australia
They ran a handmade socks label called Chicken Sox, specialising in colourful and quirky pairs for $10 each (pictured)
Her portfolio is often posted to her Instagram account, revealing her drawings of naked women and bouncing breast animations.
She moved in April last year from Guadalajara, in western Mexico, to Sydney where she was reunited with Thomas, who she has known for several years.
Frias was preparing for her first major art exhibition at the AIRspace gallery in Marrickville, but she was arrested the day before its opening night during police raids of the share house, and another property in nearby Rozelle.
Australian Border Force officers on February 21 intercepted the shipment of ice, which police said has an estimated street value of $20.7million.
Frias (pictured) was preparing for her first major art exhibition but was arrested the day before its opening night during police raids of the share house, and another property in nearby Rozelle
Frias moved in April last year from Guadalajara, in western Mexico, to Sydney where she was reunited with Thomas (pictured, left, right), who she has known for several years
Australian Border Force officers on February 21 intercepted the shipment of ice (pictured), which police said has an estimated street value of $20.7million
The drugs were removed from the speakers and replaced with an inert substance before the delivery went ahead.
Neither Frias or Thomas applied for bail when they faced court last Friday.
Thomas is due to reappear in court later this month, and Frias on May 9.
AFP Commander Justine Gough said investigations suggest the importation was a ‘highly organised’ attempt at targeting Australia.
‘We continue to see overseas drug networks trying to target Australia, because they know there is a high demand in our country and unfortunately, users are willing to pay the price,’ Commander Gough said.
‘This coordinated, multi-agency investigation has helped us to have great disruptive effect and save 240,000 hits of ice from reaching Sydney’s streets.’
The drugs were removed from the speakers and replaced with an inert substance before the delivery went ahead
AFP Commander Justine Gough said investigations suggest the importation was a ‘highly organised’ attempt at targeting Australia
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.