Former BBC actress Emaa Hussen has been arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle 320kg of methamphetamine into Australia as part of a £160 million drugs operation uncovered in Sydney.
Background of the Accused
Emaa Hussen is best known for her role as Naz Mehmet in the BBC EastEnders spin-off E20. She also appeared alongside Jason Statham in the 2013 film Redemption. The 34-year-old now faces the prospect of a life sentence if convicted.
The Smuggling Operation
Authorities allege that Hussen concealed the drugs inside bags of charcoal transported from Ghana in West Africa. The shipment was intercepted by border force officers at Port Botany in Sydney. Intelligence had been received prior to the arrival of the consignment, which was delivered to a storage facility in Girraween.
Investigators uncovered a white crystallised substance within the bags, which tested positive for methamphetamine. Hussen is accused of unloading the narcotics alongside other suspects before travelling to a property in Blacktown, where she was subsequently detained. Police recovered 32 bags identical to those containing the drugs at that address.
Legal Proceedings
Hussen has been charged alongside two Adelaide residents who were charged with comparable offences in April 2026. She will remain in custody until her next court hearing in August.
Police Statement
Local police stated: "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. 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."
