A Sunshine West man has been charged with allegedly importing about 8kg of cocaine into Australia, hidden in his luggage.
The man, 40, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 18 February, 2025, and was remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on 13 May, 2025.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly found the cocaine hidden inside bedsheets in one of the man's suitcases when they examined the luggage after he arrived at Melbourne Airport on a flight from Chile.
The ABF alerted the AFP after initial testing of the substance returned a positive result for cocaine.
The AFP established the packages contained about 8kg of cocaine and charged the man with:
- One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Acting Detective Superintendent Rick Briggs said the AFP worked closely with the ABF and other partners to stop air travel being used as part of the drug trafficking supply chain.
"The AFP's aim is to disrupt all levels of the drug trade and the criminals attempting to profit at the expense and suffering of the Australian community," Det a/Supt Briggs said.
"We can't do that without the support of our valued partners.
"We have a very simple message to anyone involved in the drug trade; your criminal activities are not welcome in this country."
ABF Acting Commander Allister Keel said that ABF officers were continuing to intercept travellers attempting to circumvent border controls.
"Criminals will utilise any method available to them in an effort to smuggle drugs into this country," ABF Acting Commander Keel said.
"It is well known serious and organised crime view Australia as a high prize within the illicit global drug trade, however, their attempts to profit here simply don't go unnoticed, and they continue to be met with an appropriate punishment.
"Along with our partner agencies, including state, and federal police, we'll continue to disrupt these sinister ploys, and ensure the Australian community are free from harm."
