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This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service and Australian Border Force

Editor’s note: Images of the seized cocaine available via Hightail.   

A Brazilian man has been sentenced to five and a half years’ jail, and a Brazilian woman sentenced to five years’ jail for their roles in importing 2kg of cocaine hidden in an Xbox from Portugal in 2021.

The man, 25 and woman, 35, were sentenced in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday 21 June, 2023 after earlier pleading guilty to offences relating to the drug importation.    

The AFP launched an investigation in March 2021, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Brisbane Airport intercepted a package bound for a Gold Coast address.

Officers examined the Xbox gaming console inside and discovered two packages containing white powder hidden beside the console’s motherboard.

Testing returned a positive result for cocaine and the ABF alerted the AFP.

AFP and Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers executed a search warrant at a home in Surfers Paradise in late March, where they seized a mobile phone and served the woman with a court attendance notice. The man then presented at a nearby police station, where he was also served a court attendance notice.

Investigations revealed the pair had accepted the delivery of the package on behalf of an alleged criminal syndicate in Brazil.

AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the AFP continued to be relentless in its pursuit to stop illicit drugs from reaching Australian communities.

“Just 2kg of cocaine can be sold as 10,000 individual street deals,” Detective Superintendent Telfer said. “Across Australia, 1800 people were admitted to hospital in 2020-21 for cocaine-related issues – almost five each day on average.*

“This amount of cocaine has an estimated street value of $800,000 and the AFP continues to work closely with partners to not only stop illicit drugs from causing harm in the community, but also prevent hundreds of thousands of dollars going into the pockets of criminals to fund future drug importations.”     

ABF Commander James Copeman praised the work of the ABF and its partner agencies in the detection, investigation and prosecution of the two would-be cocaine smugglers.

“This case highlights perfectly how excellent detection work at the border – by hard-working ABF officers – enables the downstream outcomes of our law enforcement partners, ensuring people face the consequences for their illegal actions,” Commander Copeman said.

“Importing drugs is no video game and sadly we know all too well that there are very ‘real life’ consequences for those members of the community impacted by this criminal behaviour.

“Working together, the ABF and its partners will stop at nothing to counter the scourge of illegal drug importations – our goal is to keep the Australian community safe and such attempts will continue to be detected and alleged criminals pursued through the courts.”

QPS Drug and Serious Crime Group Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Thiry warned police will continue to target dangerous and illegal drugs in our community.

“Our officers work tirelessly to detect, disrupt and dismantle these type of illegal drug activities, and I commend the diligent efforts of all involved in this substantial Operation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Thiry said.

“I encourage anyone with information in relation to illicit drugs in our community to contact police.”

The man was sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years. He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the importation of a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to sections 11.2(1) and 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The woman was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years. She pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a marketable quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to sections 11.1(1) and 307.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report.

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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