A German national is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (21 August, 2025) charged with allegedly trying to import about 4kg of cocaine into Australia hidden in his luggage.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped the man, 77, for a baggage examination after he arrived at Perth Airport on 8 August, 2025, on an international flight.
The man had a small suitcase and a backpack, which contained two mini briefcases.
ABF officers allegedly found the briefcases each had an insert. Both inserts were filled with a package containing about 2kg of a white substance. Presumptive testing returned a positive result for cocaine, with an estimated total weight of 4kg.
ABF alerted the AFP, and AFP officers arrested the man and seized the illicit drugs.
AFP questioned the man before charging him with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The man first appeared in court on 9 August, 2025, and was remanded in custody to appear again today.
AFP Superintendent Peter Hatch said the seizure could have equated to 20,000 individual street deals of 0.2 grams, with an estimated street value of $1.3 million destined for the pockets of criminals*.
"Despite all the warnings, ABF and AFP are continuing to identify people who attempt to traffic illicit drugs through our airports," Supt Hatch said.
"AFP's work with ABF and other law enforcement agencies is critical to protecting Australian communities and stopping drug traffickers from profiting at their expense."
ABF Superintendent John Eldridge said criminal syndicates tried all potential avenues in an attempt to sneak contraband into the country.
"Criminal syndicates prey on vulnerabilities to help carry out their illicit business models; it is our job as Australia's border agency to identify and disrupt this criminal activity," Supt Eldridge said.
"Through intelligence-led targeting and information sharing, ABF and AFP officers work closely to stop any amount of prohibited drug which may be smuggled through our airport network."
*Source: ACIC Illicit drug calculator
