A 38-year-old Bradbury man was charged by The Australian Federal Police (AFP) for attempting to import a total of 98.8 kilograms of cocaine into Australia. The investigation in this case was initiated after the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) Officers intercepted two kite board bags. These bags had a total of 74.8 kilograms of cocaine.
The ACBPS officers intercepted the bags before they entered the designated baggage carousel of the Sydney International Airport terminal. It was found that a Sydney Airport maintenance worker was waiting for the arrival of the two board bags in the designated baggage terminal.
This led to additional investigation by AFP members. The officers found out that the same man removed a similar package. The baggage, a golf bag is believed to contain 24 kilograms of cocaine. According to trade estimates, the total street value of the drugs is $18.96 million. Involvement of any Sydney customs broker in this case is unlikely since this is a clear case of smuggling.
Cocaine, also known as coke, is commonly snorted, inhaled as smoke, or dissolved and injected into a vein. It is the second most frequently used illegal drug globally, after cannabis. Cocaine is addictive due to its effect on the reward pathway in the brain. What is sold on the street is commonly mixed with local anesthetics, cornstarch, quinine, or sugar, which can result in additional toxicity.
Wayne Buchhorn, AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander said the seizure of cocaine and subsequent arrest is the culmination of a fool proof investigation. The whole process received active support and cooperation from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the Sydney Airport Corporation and other organisations working the airport.
According to Tim Fitzgerald, ACBPS Regional Commander NSW the success in this case shows the dedication and ongoing hard work of Customs and Border Protection officers. These efforts will control movement of illegal substances into the country.
The charge levelled against the 38-year-old is of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, pursuant to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth.) by virtue of Conspiracy, pursuant to section 11.5(1) of the Criminal Code 1995.
