A former EastEnders star has been arrested after she was allegedly caught smuggling 320kg of meth hidden in bags of charcoal into Australia. Emaa Hussen, known for the role of Naz Mehmet in 2010 web soap spinoff EastEnders: E20, has been charged alongside a couple in Sydney after authorities uncovered the drugs.
The Sun reports that investigators discovered the drugs at Port Botany in Sydney after they were allegedly shipped in from Ghana, tracking the package when it was being delivered to a storage facility in Girraween.
The bags of charcoal were X-rayed after Border Force Officers discovered "a white crystallised substance" which later tested positive for methamphetamine, prompting local authorities to launch an urgent probe.
Hussen was allegedly caught unpacking the drugs with several suspects before driving to a property in Blacktown which cops raided, resulting in her arrest.
Investigators said they found 32 bags at the home, which they allege were the same used to hide the illicit substances. Officers also seized electronic devices and a notebook for further examination.
Hussen was charged today and remains in jail until her next court appearance in August.
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The Adelaide couple also linked to the drug bust was charged in April over their alleged connection to the smuggling. They're both due in court in September.
"The seizure of these drugs – with an estimated street value of $296 million – has prevented a potential 3.2 million deals from reaching Australian streets and demonstrates the AFP's ability to operate seamlessly across borders," local police said in a statement.
"Criminal syndicates will go to great lengths to disguise illicit drugs, including embedding them in everyday goods like charcoal, but our highly skilled officers are trained to see beyond these attempts."
Alongside the role of Naz on E20, Hussen's other acting credits include 2013 thriller Hummingbird, starring Jason Statham and Vicky McClure and written and directed by Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight.
