A United States teenager has been charged after he allegedly tried to bring more than 25 kilograms of meth into Australia in suitcases. 
The 18-year-old touched down at Sydney Airport this week Wednesday when he was stopped by border force officers.
His two suitcases were searched and more than 20 tightly-wrapped packages were allegedly found.
The border force said initial testing came back with a presumptive positive result for meth and 26kg of the drug was seized.
The quantity of meth had potential for an estimated 260,000 individual street deals worth more than $24 million in total, according to federal police.
The man was arrested and charged with one count of import of a border-controlled drug.
“Our ABF officers at the airport are highly skilled to observe passenger behaviours, relying on not only intelligence, but instinct to identify potential threats,” Australian Border Force travel east commander Rose Cracknell said.
“This is a significant detection of methamphetamine, one which will stop potential harm to tens of thousands of families.”
The US citizen appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court the following day, where he was refused bail.
He will remain behind bars until he faces court again on July 24.
