customs and border protection and australian federal police joint media release

Two men charged after heroin seizure - 13 February 2010

Two men have been charged in Sydney with attempting to take possession of approximately 7.9kg of heroin concealed in wooden statuettes of birds.

A 20-year-old New Zealand national is expected to face Parramatta Court tomorrow (Sunday), while a 17-year-old male has also been charged.

The arrests are an extension of last week’s joint operation between the AFP and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service to target drug importation via the mail system.

On 9 February 2010 Customs and Border Protection detected a consignment of eight boxes, originating from Thailand, among air freight in Sydney.

The matter was referred to the AFP and forensic inspection found the consignment to contain an estimated 7.9kg of heroin hidden inside 264 wooden birds.

The AFP arrested two men at a self-storage centre in Hurstville on the evening of 12 February.

The men were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 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