A Malaysian citizen is scheduled to face Melbourne Magistrates Court today (27 June, 2024) charged over the importation of over 3kg of heroin, and the alleged possession of methamphetamine and an analog of Nitazene.
AFP officers charged the man, 28, after executing a search warrant at his house in Doncaster East in Victoria. Investigators found about 600 grams of methamphetamine and about 4kg of a Nitazene analogue. Forensic testing will determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs.
The AFP began an investigation in November 2023 after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers made five detections of heroin, totaling 12.3kg from Thailand into Sydney.
Enquiries by the AFP identified the Malaysian citizen as being linked to the syndicate and allegedly involved in facilitating drug importations into Australia. It will be alleged he frequently travelled between Melbourne and Sydney.
These enquiries resulted in a search warrant on his Doncaster East house yesterday (26 June, 2024). In addition to the drugs, AFP investigators seized numerous SIM cards and mobile phones suspected to be connected to alleged criminal activity.
AFP Detective Inspector Aaron Burgess said that the AFP worked closely with ABF to ensure the safety of the Australian community.
"The negative impact that illicit drugs have on the Australian community cannot be underestimated and these drugs would have had severe consequences had they reached our streets," Detective Inspector Burgess said.
"These arrests have occurred because our investigators meticulously followed a number of leads, and we are getting a clearer picture of what we will allege the activities of an established organised crime network operating in Australia with significant international links."
ABF Acting Superintendent Ben Michalke said the ABF was committed to stopping the flow of harmful drugs at the border.
"Whether these illicit drugs come in through our seaports, airports or in the international mail system our officers are at the front line of their detection, regardless of how creatively they are concealed," Superintendent Michalke said.
"Rest assured, ABF officers work day-in, day-out to protect our nation's border, stopping dangerous substances such as heroin and other illicit drugs from entering Australia."
The man was arrested and charged with:
- One count attempt to import a substance, the substance being a border controlled drug, namely heroin, and the quantity being a commercial quantity, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth) by virtue of Section 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
- One count possess a substance, being a substance that is reasonably suspected of having been unlawfully imported, the substance being a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, and the quantity possessed being a marketable quantity, contrary to subsection 307.9(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
- One count possess a substance, being a substance that is reasonably suspected of having been unlawfully imported, the substance being a border controlled drug, namely etonitazene, and the quantity possessed being a marketable quantity, contrary to subsection 307.9(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
