Media Release: Man charged with importing cocaine

Release Date: Wednesday, September 12 2012, 05:13 PM

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

A 27-year-old American man is scheduled to appear in Central Local Court today charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with importing approximately two kilograms of cocaine at Sydney Airport.

The man arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Buenos Aires on Tuesday 11 September 2012 and was selected by Customs and Border Protection officers for a baggage examination.

While examining the man’s luggage, Customs and Border Protection officers located 11 packages labelled as “coffee” and “hot chocolate”. The packages contained brown granules which tested positive for cocaine.

The packages were referred to the AFP for further testing to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.

The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

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