Police uncover suspicious items in Kmart toiletries, arrest three at airport
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We all know Kmart is a go-to for affordable homewares, gifts, and those little luxuries that make life a bit more comfortable.
But for three travellers at an Aussie airport, a $5 Kmart bath product became the centre of a major police operation—and not for the reasons you might expect!
On a seemingly ordinary Sunday night, a 31-year-old woman and two men, aged 32 and 34, landed in Adelaide after a flight from Sydney.
But their trip took a dramatic turn when police, acting on intelligence, searched their luggage.
What they found left even seasoned officers stunned: 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, allegedly concealed inside containers of Kmart-branded bath salts.
Photos released by police show a clear toiletry bag packed with innocent-looking bath fizzers, shower puffs, and the now-infamous $5 Kmart bath salts.
But a closer look revealed the foil seal on the bath salts had been tampered with, exposing a white, crystallised substance hidden inside.
While police haven’t revealed all the details of their investigation, it’s a reminder that airport security and law enforcement are always looking for suspicious activity.
The trio was arrested on the spot and charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug—a very serious offence under Australian law.
They faced court the following Monday and have been remanded in custody, awaiting their next appearance.
If found guilty, they could face lengthy prison sentences.
This bust comes hot on the heels of new law reforms in South Australia, introduced in April, aimed at making it even harder for drug traffickers to profit from their crimes.
The changes give police more power to seize assets quickly, prevent offenders from offloading their ill-gotten gains, and force banks to comply with freezing orders on suspect accounts.
Anyone who tries to dodge these new rules could be hit with fines of up to $100,000.
The reforms also make it easier for prosecutors to secure convictions, as they no longer need to prove that an accused person knew the exact type or quantity of the drug involved.
This means less wriggle room for those caught up in drug trafficking operations.
South Australia’s Minister for Police, Stephen Mullighan, said these changes are designed to 'stop offenders in their tracks and deter others from choosing a life of crime.'
It’s a clear message: authorities are taking a zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking.
You might be wondering—why bath salts? Criminals often use everyday products to try and hide illegal substances, hoping they’ll blend in with the rest of our luggage and avoid detection.
Toiletries, food packaging, and even children’s toys have all been used in the past.
But as this case shows, police and airport security are wise to these tricks and have sophisticated methods for detecting hidden drugs.
For most of us, this story is a reminder of the importance of airport security and the lengths some people will go to in order to break the law.
It’s also a good prompt to double-check your own bags before travelling—especially if you’re carrying gifts or items for others.
Never agree to carry anything for someone you don’t know well, and always be aware of what’s in your luggage.
And remember, while most of us are just looking for a bargain at Kmart, it seems some people are looking for something a lot more sinister. Stay safe, and happy travels!
Have you ever been stopped by security for an unexpected reason or seen something unusual while travelling? Share your experiences in the comments below—your story might help others stay safe and aware.
But for three travellers at an Aussie airport, a $5 Kmart bath product became the centre of a major police operation—and not for the reasons you might expect!
On a seemingly ordinary Sunday night, a 31-year-old woman and two men, aged 32 and 34, landed in Adelaide after a flight from Sydney.
But their trip took a dramatic turn when police, acting on intelligence, searched their luggage.
What they found left even seasoned officers stunned: 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, allegedly concealed inside containers of Kmart-branded bath salts.
Three arrested at Adelaide airport after 2.2kg of meth allegedly found in kmart bath salts containers. Credit: South Australian Police Website
Photos released by police show a clear toiletry bag packed with innocent-looking bath fizzers, shower puffs, and the now-infamous $5 Kmart bath salts.
But a closer look revealed the foil seal on the bath salts had been tampered with, exposing a white, crystallised substance hidden inside.
While police haven’t revealed all the details of their investigation, it’s a reminder that airport security and law enforcement are always looking for suspicious activity.
The trio was arrested on the spot and charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug—a very serious offence under Australian law.
They faced court the following Monday and have been remanded in custody, awaiting their next appearance.
If found guilty, they could face lengthy prison sentences.
This bust comes hot on the heels of new law reforms in South Australia, introduced in April, aimed at making it even harder for drug traffickers to profit from their crimes.
The changes give police more power to seize assets quickly, prevent offenders from offloading their ill-gotten gains, and force banks to comply with freezing orders on suspect accounts.
Anyone who tries to dodge these new rules could be hit with fines of up to $100,000.
The reforms also make it easier for prosecutors to secure convictions, as they no longer need to prove that an accused person knew the exact type or quantity of the drug involved.
This means less wriggle room for those caught up in drug trafficking operations.
South Australia’s Minister for Police, Stephen Mullighan, said these changes are designed to 'stop offenders in their tracks and deter others from choosing a life of crime.'
It’s a clear message: authorities are taking a zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking.
You might be wondering—why bath salts? Criminals often use everyday products to try and hide illegal substances, hoping they’ll blend in with the rest of our luggage and avoid detection.
Toiletries, food packaging, and even children’s toys have all been used in the past.
But as this case shows, police and airport security are wise to these tricks and have sophisticated methods for detecting hidden drugs.
For most of us, this story is a reminder of the importance of airport security and the lengths some people will go to in order to break the law.
It’s also a good prompt to double-check your own bags before travelling—especially if you’re carrying gifts or items for others.
Never agree to carry anything for someone you don’t know well, and always be aware of what’s in your luggage.
And remember, while most of us are just looking for a bargain at Kmart, it seems some people are looking for something a lot more sinister. Stay safe, and happy travels!
