A Chinese national is scheduled to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court today (4 September, 2026) after allegedly attempting to import 1kg of heroin into Australia.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the man, 33, for a baggage examination at Adelaide Airport yesterday (3 September, 2026) after he arrived on an international flight.
During a search of the man's luggage, ABF officers identified a plastic bag containing a white powdered substance concealed within the lining of the suitcase.
Presumptive testing of the substance returned a positive indication of heroin, with an estimated total weight of 1kg. ABF then referred the incident to AFP for further investigation.
AFP officers responded and seized the man's mobile phone for further forensic examination.
The man was then arrested and charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of heroin, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Simon Lalic said the AFP worked closely with ABF and law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal syndicates seeking to harm the Australian community through illicit drug importation.
"The AFP and its partners are committed to disrupting all levels of the harmful illicit drug trade and keeping Australians safe," Det-Supt Lalic said.
"Criminal syndicates involved in these unlawful acts do not care about the impacts on the community. They only care about their own profits and are highly motivated by greed."
ABF Inspector Mark Vaughan said officers were the first line of defence at the airport when it came to protecting the border and the community from harmful drugs such as heroin.
"Our officers are highly trained and well equipped to detect illicit concealments on travellers who arrive at Australia's airports, assisted by our skilled narcotic detector dogs," Inspector Vaughan said.
"Air travel is becoming increasingly busy but this does not mean the ABF is any less vigilant - it is not worth taking the risk to bring illicit drugs into the country, those that do will be detected and will face severe penalties."
