Editor's note: Arrest vision and photos of intercepted consignment available via Hightail
The AFP has charged two men after seizing almost 16kg of illicit drugs and more than $10,000 suspected illicit cash in Perth.
One of the men, 29, is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court again today (07 October, 2024) after he and a 24-year-old man first faced court last week (2 October). The 24-year-old is expected to reappear in court on 18 October.
The pair was arrested in the early hours of last Wednesday (2 October) as a result of an investigation that started in September, when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Perth uncovered about 4.15kg of methamphetamine in an air cargo consignment.
When ABF officers examined the consignment from the United States, they found a package of methamphetamine concealed among foam packaging and alerted the AFP.
The AFP removed the illicit drugs and facilitated the delivery of the consignment, as addressed, to a property in Ellenbrook on 1 October.
Investigators were monitoring the package as a man collected it from the premises and drove to a residence in Leederville.
Later in the evening, AFP and ABF executed a search warrant on the Leederville premises and also searched a vehicle there.
During the warrant, investigators allegedly located the original consignment, including all contents, as well as about 10.4kg of methamphetamine, about 1kg of cocaine and almost 380 grams of heroin.
They also seized multiple mobile devices and about $10,000 cash found on the 24-year-old.
The two men were arrested at the property and were charged.
The 29-year-old, from Leederville, has been charged with:
- One count of attempt to possess commercial quantities of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.5, by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment;
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment;
- Two counts of trafficking a marketable quantity of controlled drugs (namely cocaine and heroin), contrary to subsection 302.3(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years' imprisonment; and
- One count of failure to comply with an order under section 3LA(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth); The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
The 24-year-old, from Middle Swan, has been charged with:
- One count of possession of money or property suspected to be the proceeds of crime, contrary to section 400.9(1A) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years' imprisonment; and
- One count of possess a controlled drug, contrary to section 308.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years' imprisonment.
Investigations remain ongoing.
AFP Detective Inspector Matt Taylor said the AFP worked closely with ABF and other partners to combat criminal syndicates that tried to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia and supply them to the community.
"Methamphetamine causes widespread harm – with the negative impacts felt in our hospitals, in the road toll and in associated crime," Det-Insp Taylor said.
"Combined, the methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin seized in this matter could have been sold as more than 152,000 street level deals in our community, with an estimated value of almost $14 million*.
"The AFP and ABF will continue to try to stop anyone from profiting by inflicting the misery of these harmful substances on our community."
ABF Superintendent Aviation Goods James Payne said behind every attempted import of illicit drugs was a criminal seeking to bring harm to Australians.
"Also behind every attempt there are dedicated officers showing initiative on a daily basis to detect illicit drugs at the border, and no matter the size or concealment, these detections can uncover serious and organised criminal operations," Superintendent Payne said.
"These arrests and charges are a great result for all officers involved in the detection and subsequent investigation."
*Source: ACIC Illicit Drug Calculator