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07 August 2021, 12:20pm
Media Release

Perth man arrested for heroin hidden in mascara bottles

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force.

Editor's Note: Images of the heroin in mascara bottles are now available via hightail.

A 28-year-old Perth man is due to face Perth Magistrates Court today (7 August 2021) charged with attempting to possess approximately 440 grams of heroin hidden in mascara bottles.

On 3 August 2021, Australian Border Force officers conducted an examination of a consignment from South Africa which tested positive for heroin.

Australian Federal Police investigators were advised of the detection which resulted in officers executing a controlled delivery of the consignment yesterday (6 August 2021) to a residential address in the Perth suburb of Balga.

AFP officers observed a 28-year-old man take possession of the consignment which was delivered to the front door of the property.

The man was subsequently arrested and charged with attempting to possess a marketable quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.6 of the Criminal Code (Cth) 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years’ imprisonment.

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.

Media enquiries:

AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

ABF Media: (02) 6124 2211