Customs and border protection media release
Man charged with importing $2.1 million worth of cocaine - 17 August 2010
Joint media release with the Australian Federal Police
A 34-year-old East Perth man was arrested early this morning for allegedly importing six kilograms of cocaine into Australia concealed within muscle growth accelerator.
The man will face Perth Law Courts today charged with importing and attempting to possess the drugs.
On 1 August 2010, Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted a consignment sent from Arizona when it arrived in Perth. It contained an assortment of items, including five plastic containers, labelled as post-workout muscle growth accelerator. The consignment tested positive for a prohibited substance and Customs and Border Protection alerted the Australian Federal Police.
A controlled delivery was undertaken by the AFP to Bunbury, south of Perth, where the man took possession of the consignment.
The man was later arrested at his East Perth premises where federal agents seized the containers of substituted material labelled as muscle growth accelerator.
During the search of the offenders premises Federal Agents located an additional amount of approximately 200 grams of a powder suspected to be cocaine. This additional seizure will be the subject of further enquiries.
AFP National Manager of Crime Operations Assistant Commissioner Ramzi Jabbour said the operation showed how the AFP was committed to combating the drug trade and should act as a warning to others seeking to import illegal narcotics.
“The six kilograms of cocaine seized in this operation has an estimated street value of approximately $2.1 million. This operation has prevented over 6,000 one-gram deals from reaching the streets of Perth.”
Customs and Border Protection National Manager Air Cargo and Detained Goods Management, Catherine Asbridge said Australia has strict controls on the importation of cocaine.
"Thanks to the skill of the Customs and Border Protection officers in identifying risk factors and applying a range of technologies, officers were able to detect and prevent the consignment from being delivered.”
The man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to subsection Section 307.8(1) and subsection 11.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) Act 1995. The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793