Colombian national charged over Australian cocaine smuggling plot
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A Colombian national is expected to face Brisbane Magistrates Court today (1 September, 2023) for his alleged role in a plan to import 28kg of cocaine into Australia from South America.
The man, 33, who was staying in Australia on a student visa, was arrested on 2 June, 2023, following an investigation by the Queensland Joint Organised Crime Task Force (QJOCTF).
The investigation was launched in May 2023 as a result of collaboration between the Colombian National Police, United States’ Drug Enforcement Administration Bogotá Country Office Colombia Division and the AFP’s International Network South America Office to counter plans by a transnational organised crime group to import cocaine from Colombia.
The AFP arrested the man at a shopping centre near the Brisbane Airport when he allegedly tried to take possession of a suitcase that was supposed to contain the illicit drugs.
This amount of cocaine could have been sold as approximately 140,000 individual street deals for about $7 million, which would have been diverted from the legitimate economy.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the arrest demonstrated the importance of the AFP’s International Network, which included having members based in Colombia and 32 other countries.
“Serious organised crime is a global problem, which is why the AFP works so closely with our law enforcement partners overseas, and our local partners through the QJOCTF, to disrupt all levels of the illicit drug trade in Australia,” he said.
“These drugs create a burden for the Australian economy, they disrupt our way of life and make our communities less safe, which is why the AFP will continue to stop organised crime from profiting at the expense of our communities.”
Queensland Police Service (QPS) QJOCTF Commander, Inspector Stephen Tiernan, said this arrest shows the significant impact of inter-agency collaboration in preventing the spread of organised crime.
“Criminal syndicates work to profit from harm caused to the community, but this seizure has now disrupted the illicit drug trade to the tune of $7 million dollars, which will instead stay in the pockets of every-day Australians,” Inspector Tiernan said.
“This result is a testament to the dedicated work of officers on the ground, from across law enforcement jurisdictions, in effectively working together to investigate and put the alleged offender before the court.”
He has been charged with:
- Attempt to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, contrary to section 11.1 and 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Failing to comply with an order made under section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for drug offence is life imprisonment
The other charge, which relates to the man’s alleged refusal to provide access to his mobile phone, carries a potential penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The QJOCTF is a multi-agency taskforce comprised of members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS), Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Taxation Office (ATO), and Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
The role of the QJOCTF is to investigate transnational serious and organised crime threats impacting Australia.
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 at www.counsellingonline.org.au.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to www.turningpoint.org.au.
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