customs and border protection and australian federal police joint media release

Man arrested for importing $2.8 million of cocaine - 19 February 2010

A 32-year-old Punchbowl man will appear in Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing cocaine into Australia through air cargo.

On 15 February 2010, Customs and Border Protection officers noticed anomalies in an air freight item from Nigeria consigned to an address in the Sydney suburb of Granville.

Customs and Border Protection carried out an examination of the consignment which revealed four boxes containing dumpling dough.  Concealed inside the balls of dough were small plastic bags with a white powder believed to be cocaine.

The consignment was subsequently referred to the Australian Federal Police.

Further examination by the AFP revealed approximately eight kilograms of powder believed to be cocaine, which would be worth $2.8 million.

A search warrant was executed at a Punchbowl residence yesterday, where the man was arrested.

He has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

Media enquiries:

AFP National Media (02) 6275 7100

Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793