Sydney Airport: Australian police seize 50 kg of cocaine and meth worth $30 million within 48 hours

Two foreign nationals have been charged over two unrelated drug importations, with 27kg of cocaine and 21kg of methamphetamine with a combined estimated street value of $28.7 million, seized at Sydney Airport in the space of 48 hours, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Sunday.

A Canadian-Ecuadorian dual national, 41, has been charged with allegedly importing six kilograms of cocaine concealed in his underpants on 21 September, 2024.

“On the man’s arrival at Sydney Airport, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers identified abnormalities in the man’s visa application,” the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement.

Officers conducted a search of the man and located a package around his groin area, positioned between two pairs of underpants and secured with electrical tape.

ABF officers removed the package which contained a liquid substance which was tested and returned a positive result for cocaine.

The matter was referred to the AFP.

AFP officers attended and arrested the man and he was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Two days later (Monday, 23 September, 2024), AFP officers charged a US national, 23, with allegedly importing 21kg of cocaine and 21kg of methamphetamine concealed in two large suitcases.

On the man’s arrival from Los Angeles, USA, ABF officers located 28 suspicious packages in the man’s two suitcases during a routine inspection. The contents of the packages were tested and returned positive results for both cocaine and methamphetamine.

AFP officers seized the suitcases which allegedly contained a total of 42kg of border controlled drugs. The 23-year-old was arrested and charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The 41-year-old man appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on 22 September, 2024 where he was refused bail. He will return to the same court on 21 November, 2024.

The 23-year-old man appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on 24 September, 2024 where he was refused bail. He will return to the same court on 27 November, 2024.

AFP Acting Sydney Airport Police Commander Dom Stephenson said illicit substances, including cocaine and methamphetamine, inflicted misery on the Australian community.

“Despite all the risks involved, we are still arresting people attempting to bring illicit drugs into our country through our airports,” Det. A/Supt Stephenson said.

“When individuals travel to Australia with drugs hidden in their possession, it should come as no surprise they will be detected and face the full consequences of the law.

“The AFP and our partners are working tirelessly to prevent airports being used as part of the criminal supply chain.”

ABF Acting Superintendent Andrew Snook said these detections showed that travellers were not comprehending the life-altering consequences when making such brazen attempts to smuggle illicit substances into our country.

“Criminal syndicates are exploiting young travellers who may not understand the risks of importing border controlled drugs into Australia, all for their own financial gain,” A/Supt Snook said.

He said: “ABF officers utilise a combination of intelligence, observation, and intuition when it comes to identifying passengers who may be attempting to smuggle drugs into the country.

“The quantities alleged to have been stopped at Sydney Airport would have resulted in millions of street deals flooded into the illicit drug market and put thousands of lives at risk.”

“We as border protection and law enforcement agencies must do all we can to disrupt the distribution and importation of these harmful substances into our community,” he said.