A South Yunderup man is facing up to 25 years in prison after the Australian Border Force (ABF) intercepted $225,000 worth of methamphetamine earlier this week.
The 32-year-old has been accused of importing 300 grams of the drug concealed inside a children's book, and was expected to face Perth Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
The ABF located the drugs in a parcel bound for the South Yunderup home from Canada, after intercepting the package at a Perth air cargo depot on Sunday.
Anomalies detected in an x-ray prompted a closer examination and deconstruction of the children's book revealed the inner lining was coated with powdered chillies.
It will be alleged that officers drilled into the book and located a crystalline substance, which subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine.
The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and culminated in a search warrant at the South Yunderup property.
Police will allege that when they arrived at the home, the package - which was delivered without the illicit drugs - had been opened and the contents were being separated.
Police also allegedly found about $7000 cash and a small amount of cannabis at the man's home.
The man has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
He has also been charged with dealing in proceeds of crime (money) worth $1000 or more.
He faces a maximum five years imprisonment if convicted of that offence.
ABF regional commander for WA James Copeman said officers are constantly on alert for illicit drugs coming through the international cargo and mail streams.
"Criminals using chilli powder or any other substances to mask illicit drugs is not new for the ABF," he said.
"Regardless if it's meth built into a children's educational book or other methods of concealment, our officers use cutting edge detection equipment to prevent these illicit goods from making their way into the Australian community.
"This outcome again demonstrates the highly effective collaborative manner in which the ABF and AFP work together to protect the community from harmful substances like meth."
AFP western commander John Tanti said the police work closely with state and commonwealth partners to protect Australian communities by disrupting the supply of illicit drugs.
"The latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program report, released by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) in March, indicates West Australians are consuming about 1,482.7kg of meth annually," he said.
"Too many people are wasting money on illicit drugs - delivering profits to criminals who prey on our communities and who do not care about the health and social harms they cause, or the drug-related crime."
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.