Australian Federal Police have arrested a Polish passenger who allegedly tried to smuggle 4kg of cocaine in the lining of his suitcase.
The 45-year-old man was initially stopped by Australian Border Force for baggage checks at Perth International Airport on September 29. ABF officers also observed the man acting suspiciously upon arrival.
During the inspection, ABF officers allegedly discovered two foil-wrapped packages containing a white substance inside the lining of the man's suitcase. Presumptive testing came back positive for cocaine, with an estimated total weight of 4.1 kilograms.
The ABF alerted the AFP, who arrested the man and seized illegal drugs. The man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for the offense is life imprisonment and he is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on October 10.
AFP Acting Commander Murray Taylor said AFP remained committed to working closely with the ABF to identify people trying to bring illegal drugs into the country through airports.
Acting Commander Taylor said: “The work of Australia's airport enforcement agencies is vital to protecting people from drug traffickers who are driven by greed to make profits at the expense of the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“Illegal drugs cause untold pain and suffering to many Australians.”
ABF chief John Eldridge said ABF officers are the first line of defense at the border and are well-trained and vigilant about observing suspicious passenger behavior at airports.
“It's a combination of training, intelligence and good old-fashioned intuition that tells us what to look for when we select passengers for bag searches,” Sheriff Eldridge said.
“As drug traffickers continue to push their luck, we remain firmly committed to detecting and preventing harmful drugs from entering Australia through international airports.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Helpline on 1800 250 015.
