A Surfers Paradise man has been sentenced to four years' imprisonment for possessing a dangerous drug and dealing in proceeds of crime.
The man, 58, who was sentenced by the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday (3 October, 2024), must serve a non-parole period of 12 months.
The AFP charged the man in April 2023, after the Australian Border Force (ABF) in Sydney found 1kg of cocaine in an air cargo consignment sent from the Philippines.
As a result of ongoing inquiries, investigators from the AFP and Queensland Police Service (QPS) conducted a search warrant at the man's apartment on the Gold Coast on 18 April, 2023.
During the search police seized $6000 cash, 300g of cocaine and 1kg of methamphetamine, with forensic testing later confirming 158g as being pure methamphetamine. The man was not home at the time but was later arrested and charged.
The man pleaded guilty on 3 October, 2024 to:
- One count of possession of a dangerous drug, contrary to section 9(1)(b) of the Drugs Misuse Act Qld;
- One count of deal in proceeds of an indictable crime exceeding $1000, contrary to section 400.7(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of possess things used in connection with a dangerous drug, contrary to section 10(1)(a) of the Drug Misuse Act (Qld).
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the AFP worked closely with partner agencies to prevent illicit drugs from reaching Australian streets and to identify anyone involved in trying to profit at the expense of the community.
"Criminals may work hard to plan and execute schemes to import and distribute illicit drugs in Australia, but the AFP and its state and Commonwealth law enforcement partners work harder to disrupt this illegal activity and prevent the widespread harm drugs caused," Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said.
ABF Acting Commander John Ikin said he was proud of the expertise of the Border Force officers, who, on this occasion and many others, had been able to assist in countering major criminal activity.
"The ABF will continue to work closely with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to bring down these individuals no matter where in the supply chain they sit," Acting Commander Ikin said.
"We know that criminal groups will try to use Australia's vast coastline to attempt to breach our borders, but criminals should always assume we are nearby and we are watching.
"The ABF is committed to protecting the Australian community from the tremendous harm of illicit substances, and we will continue to use all resources at our disposal to do so."
Queensland Police Service Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus said the court outcome highlighted the consequences of relentless and resolute police work across agencies.
"With our partners we will continue to use our full range of capabilities to proactively target and cause maximum disruption to transnational serious and organised criminal operations," Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus said.
