A Victorian man is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (4 October, 2024) for allegedly trying to fly interstate under a false name and carrying about $70,000 in suspected illicit cash.
The AFP arrested the man, 47, at Perth Airport on 17 September, 2024, after Perth Airport security alerted the AFP about 11.30pm, following security screening.
When AFP officers questioned the man and searched his bags, they allegedly found about $70,000 in Australian currency, as well as a glass pipe and a clip seal bag containing a crystalline substance which preliminary testing showed to be an illicit substance.
The man was also allegedly in possession of an airline ticket in another person's name. He was allegedly planning to fly to NSW.
The AFP charged the man and he first faced court on 18 September, 2024, on:
- One count of dealing with property reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime (less than $100,000), contrary to section 400.9(1A) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment;
- One count of false identification information - air passenger tickets for constitutional flights, contrary to section 376.4(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment;
- One count of possessing a prohibited drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 6(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA). This offence carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment; and
- One count of possessing drug paraphernalia, contrary to section 7B(6) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA). This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.
AFP acting Superintendent Shona Davis said police officers worked closely with Perth Airport to detect crime at airports.
"The AFP engages with Australia's major airports to ensure domestic and international flights are not used as transit routes for criminal activities," acting Supt Davis said.
"Unexplained sources of cash are often a sign of underlying criminal activity and the AFP has the ability to put people before court to justify that wealth."
Anyone who notices something suspicious or out of the ordinary at Australian airports should call Airport Watch on 131 237 (131 AFP) or notify one of the AFP' Airport Uniformed Police officers.
