Police in Western Australia have charged a 39-year-old man after discovering approximately three and a half grams of methylamphetamine hidden inside a McMuffin meal during a car search in Broome. The drugs were found in a ziplock bag wedged between the bacon and egg of the burger, as part of ongoing investigations into illicit drugs in the Kimberley region.
Arrest and search details
The arrest took place on 20 August. Police said the man was observed entering and leaving a house of interest under surveillance as part of a drug operation, before getting into his vehicle and driving away. He was stopped a couple of streets away for a car search around 2.10pm.
During the search, police found a bag containing hot food from the fast-food chain Chicken Treat on the rear floor between the driver's and passenger's seats. Body-worn camera footage captured officers rummaging through the bag on the bonnet of the car, pulling out several meal items, including burgers and fries from various fast-food outlets, along with the McMuffin burger.
Police comment on the discovery
Speaking on a WA police podcast following the arrest, Senior Constable Ben Lucas said the drug-laden food immediately stood out as suspicious. "That bag was found to contain fresh hot warm lovely smelling Chicken Treat, but at the bottom was a cold discarded McMuffin burger that had been secreted at the bottom of the bag that obviously drew our attention," he said.
Charges and court appearance
The Derby man has been charged with one count of possession of prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply. He is next due to appear before the Magistrates Court on 9 September. A woman who was also in the car and present during the search was released by police after questioning.
