Media Release: Three charged for importing 8.4 kilograms of heroin
Release Date: Wednesday, February 29 2012, 01:56 PM
This is a joint media release with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs and Border Protection.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has charged three men for allegedly importing approximately 8.4 kilograms of heroin into Australia from Vietnam.
A 20-year-old Regents Park man, 21-year-old Belmore man and 21-year-old Campsie man are scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today.
On 22 February 2012, Customs and Border Protection officers examined an airfreight consignment which arrived at the Sydney Airport facility from Vietnam, containing four wooden crates.
The examination revealed anomalies within the walls of two of the wooden crates. Presumptive testing of a white powder found concealed in the walls tested positive for heroin.
The matter was referred to the AFP for investigation.
Police will allege the consignment was delivered to an address in Campsie on Monday (27 February 2012). It was then moved to an address in Regents Park, where it will be alleged in court that the men took possession of the delivery.
The AFP executed search warrants on residential premises in Campsie and Regents Park, where the men were subsequently arrested.
The 20-year-old Regents Park man and 20-year-old Campsie man have been charged with the following offences:
- Importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
- Attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.5 by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The 21-year-old Belmore man has also been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug.
The maximum penalty for these offences 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