TWO Sydney men have faced Central Local Court after allegedly importing $1.25 million worth of cocaine in two air freight parcels.
A 39-year-old Green Valley man and a 66-year-old Bonnyrigg man were arrested on Tuesday (25 May 2021), after Australian Federal Police investigators raided the 39-year-old’s home.
The investigation into the importations began in April after Australian Border Force officers noticed anomalies within a parcel labelled as an electric food warmer. An examination of the consignment revealed three kilograms of cocaine.
AFP investigators seized the parcel and the drugs.
In May, a further consignment declared as a diamond microdermabrasion machine arrived in Sydney. ABF officers noticed anomalies within the parcel and uncovered a further two kilograms of cocaine.
The drugs were removed before the parcel was delivered to an address in Smithfield on Tuesday (25 May 2021), where AFP investigators observed two men in the vicinity.
The pair later travelled to Green Valley. AFP investigators executed search warrant at a Green Valley home and a Bonnyrigg residence, where they seized $125,400 in cash.
The two men were arrested in Green Valley and charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported drugs. The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
The 39-year-old man was also charged with seven counts of dealing with identification information, and the 66-year-old man was also charged with three counts of the same offence after investigators found several different driver’s licences all allegedly using the pair’s image.
One false identity was linked to a previous importation discovered in April after ABF officers examined a parcel labelled as an electric food warmer. Anomalies within the consignment revealed three kilograms of cocaine.
AFP investigators seized the parcel and the drugs.
ABF Aviation Goods Superintendent Matthew O’Connor said this operation shows regardless of the size of the drug importation or the way criminals try to hide their drugs, they won’t get past our officers.
“The ABF knows the methods criminals use to conceal illicit drugs are constantly evolving. That’s why ABF officers use technological advancements, intelligence analysis and their unique skills to keep on top of the latest trends and concealment methods,” Superintendent O’Connor said.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Morgen Blunden said the AFP was committed to stopping illegal drugs from hitting the streets and harming Australians.
“Even the smallest amount of cocaine in our communities is too much, the impact illicit substances have on users, their families and the wider community cannot be understated,” Detective Acting Inspector Blunden said.
