Media Release: Man charged with importing cocaine concealed in luggage

Release Date: Monday, February 27 2012, 09:32 AM

This is a joint media release with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs and Border Protection.

A 33-year-old Mermaid Waters man is scheduled to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today for allegedly importing cocaine into Brisbane concealed in his luggage.

On Saturday, 25 February 2012, the man’s luggage was examined by Australian Customs and Border Protection Service's Detector Dog Unit when he arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from South America.

Customs and Border Protection's Detector Dog Unit gave a positive indication to the man’s luggage.

During the examination, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered a white powder substance in the lining of his luggage.
Initial testing indicated the presence of cocaine, with an estimated weight of 2.5 kilograms.

The matter was referred to the AFP, which charged the man with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.

Media enquiries
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793