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This is a joint investigation between the AFP, Department of Federal Police Brazil and Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil.

Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail.

The AFP has charged an Australian national and a Dutch national for their roles in a plot to import 600kg of cocaine into Australia, as part of a joint investigation with Brazilian authorities.

The Dutch national, 25, and the Australian national, 49, appeared before Downing Centre Local Court today (7 March 2024). They were refused bail and are scheduled to appear before Sydney Local Court on 15 May 2024. If convicted, the men face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The joint investigation began in November 2023 after the Department of Federal Police of Brazil (DPF) and Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil – Customs (Receita Federal) searched four consignments bound for Australia described as ‘fruit kiosks’ and discovered 600kg of cocaine within the walls and floors of each of the units.

DPF and Receita Federal officers removed the illicit drugs and forwarded the consignment to its intended address in Sydney.

The consignment arrived in Australia via sea cargo on 8 February 2024, and was collected and delivered to an industrial storage warehouse in the western Sydney suburb of North Rocks on Wednesday, 6 March 2024.

On 6 March 2024, AFP officers allegedly witnessed the men arrive at the warehouse and stay for numerous hours with the roller door closed, exiting intermittently to obtain tools and other instruments suspected to be used to access the consignment.

As they attempted to leave the warehouse later in the afternoon, both men were arrested and charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

AFP officers executed a search warrant at the warehouse unit and found four refrigerated fruit kiosks. Two of the kiosks were partially unwrapped. It will be alleged in court the men had used a variety of tools to cut open parts of the kiosks, including sections where the cocaine had previously been removed by the DPF and Receita Federal in Brazil.

AFP members executed a search warrant on a vehicle the men were using, seizing 15 large sports-style duffle bags, two mobile phones, credit cards, receipts, and numerous power tools.

AFP Commander Kate Ferry said the arrests and seizure were a testament to the close working relationship between the AFP and its international partners.

“Criminal syndicates will go to great lengths to conceal and import drugs into Australia, but the AFP and its partners are constantly working to remain one step ahead of them,” Commander Ferry said.

“An import of this size could have accounted for about three million individual street deals of cocaine, which can cause significant havoc and harm to the Australian community.

“Investigations into the origin of the drugs remain ongoing, and we will work with our international and domestic law enforcement partners to identify any other involved in facilitating this import and it’s intended onward distribution.

“The AFP will continue to make Australia a hostile environment for criminal syndicates attempting to smuggle and profit from harmful drugs, at the expense of the Australian people.”

Anyone with information about this shipment is urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Note to media

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online
• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.