A 44-year-old Nigerian national was charged with importing methamphetamine and heroin into Australia. The imports were through air cargo and international mail. This was the result of a joint operation between Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS).
The ACBPS officers noticed anomalies in two packages that were marked as audio speakers and handbags. On detailed examination of these packages, they found the packages contained a white crystalline substance concealed inside. Preliminary level testing showed the material to be methamphetamine. Approximate total weight of the substances was 1.6 kilograms.
The investigation and follow up were done by the AFP. Subsequently search warrants were conducted in the Sydney suburbs of Menai and Peakhurst. As a result of these warrants, police discovered approximately $60,000 in cash. This cash is alleged to be the proceeds of crime. The warrants also resulted in the recovery of an additional 300grams of methamphetamine and 300grams of heroin.
According to Commander Jennifer Hurst, AFP Manager Crime Operations, Australian law enforcement agencies including AFP is well aware of different methods used by drug smugglers. Agencies are also geared and committed to targeting and combating drug smuggling. Moreover the success of these operations is an effective demonstration of the combined efforts of the AFP and ACBPS.
Jagtej Singh, ACBPS National Manager Cargo Operations is of the view that the successful completion of this operation sends a strong message to both Australian-based and international drug syndicates not to import drugs into Australia. Also those who breach Australian border face the combined force of Customs and Border Protection and federal and state law enforcement partners.
The accused was charged with – Importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, importation of a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, providing false or misleading information to a reporting entity, providing false or misleading information to a reporting entity, possession of a marketable quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, possession of a marketable quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug and dealing with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime. The maximum penalty for these offences can go up to life imprisonment.
