Media Release: Four people charged with importing 23kg of illicit drugs concealed in bobcat machinery
Release Date: Tuesday, May 08 2012, 04:59 PM
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs and Border Protection.
Four people from Sydney and the surrounding area will face court today, charged with attempting to import 23 kilograms of illicit drugs.
A 35-year-old man and a 28-year-old man from Sydney are scheduled to appear in Penrith Local Court, while a 28 year-old man and a 26 year-old woman from Kurrajong will appear in Sydney Central Local Court today.
On 18 April 2012, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers at the Sydney container facility examined a consignment shipped from New Zealand to Sydney which contained a number of Bobcat and Skid Steer machinery.
During the examination of the consignment, Customs and Border Protection officers located a number of packages containing white powder in the arms of the machinery.
Initial testing of the packages returned positive results for cocaine and the matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation.
A forensic examination of the packages confirmed the presence of 15 kilograms of cocaine, six kilograms of methamphetamine and two kilograms of ecstasy. Further testing will determine the exact weight and purity.
The AFP executed a number of search warrants in the Sydney suburb of Kurrajong yesterday (7 May 2012) and subsequently charged the two Sydney men with:
- Attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to Section 307.5 by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The 28 year-old man and the 26 year-old woman face charges including:
- Dealing in proceeds of crime – money worth $10,000 or more, contrary to Section 400.6 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995;
- Import commercial quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995;
- Attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to Section 307.5 by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for each drug offence is a $825,000 fine and/ or life imprisonment.
The maximum penalty for the dealing in proceeds of crime offence is ten years imprisonment.
The investigation remains ongoing and the AFP has not ruled out further arrests. Anyone with information relevant to this case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793