Two men charged over drug importation

This is a joint AFP and Customs Media Release

Two men will face Perth Magistrates Court today charged over an attempt to import drugs into Australia.

A 40-year-old Dutch man was stopped yesterday by Customs officers at Perth International Airport for a baggage search when he arrived on a flight from Singapore.

Customs officers allegedly located five plastic bags which had been concealed inside the man’s baggage.

A white crystal substance found inside the plastic bags is believed to be one kilogram of methamphetamine.

A further search of the man’s bag found a small quantity of MDMA tablets and a powder believed to be cocaine, as well as some drug-related equipment.

The AFP commenced an investigation, arresting a second man at a nearby hotel where he was allegedly attempting to take possession of the drugs.

Both men were conveyed to the East Perth Watch House where they were charged.

The Dutch National was charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug under Section 307.1 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995.

The 51-year-old Perth man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug under Section 308.1 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for both offences is life imprisonment.