Joint Customs and Border Protection AFP media release

Heroin worth more than $1.25 million concealed in tiles - Saturday 21 November

A 30-year-old Ashcroft man will face Parramatta local court today charged with importing heroin into Australia concealed within playing tiles.

Customs and Border Protection stopped the man for questioning when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Vietnam yesterday (20 November).

Customs and Border Protection Officers conducted a baggage search and located four medium sized black cases containing mah-jong and domino tiles.

The tiles appeared to be of poor quality and were subjected to further tests by Customs and Border Protection Officers.

A mah-jong tile was drilled and presumptive testing of the contents indicated the presence of heroin. The man was referred to the Australian Federal Police.

It will be alleged in court the man concealed approximately 5.5 kilograms of heroin. It has a conservative estimated street value of approximately $1,250,000.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the drug, its weight and purity.

The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug into Australia, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.1 Criminal Code 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

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