A New Zealand national who is a permanent resident of Australia is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today (20 June, 2025) after allegedly smuggling more than 10kg of cocaine into Sydney in his suitcase.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers searched the man's luggage yesterday (19 June, 2025) after he arrived on a flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
They allegedly found nine blocks containing an unknown substance sealed in black plastic in the suitcase lining, as well as more than $10,000 cash and a suspected encrypted device.
A presumptive test of the substance returned a positive result for cocaine, with an estimated weight of 10.39kg, and the AFP was contacted.
The man, 28, was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled substance, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Davina Copelin said the AFP and its law enforcement partners collaborated to stop criminals who tried to import drugs into Australia.
"The AFP's collaboration with ABF and other law enforcement agencies is critical to stopping offenders from bringing harmful drugs into our country," Det a/Supt Copeland said.
"The aim of the AFP is to protect Australians and disrupt criminal efforts that bring them to our shores.
"Anyone who attempts to import drugs will be stopped and met with the full force of the law."
ABF Superintendent Elke West said this seizure reinforces our strong stance that Australia is not an easy target for criminal syndicates.
"The ABF is Australia's first line of defence at our border - one of the largest and most challenging environments in the world. Each successful detection is a reminder of the critical role our organisations play in keeping our country safe," Supt West said.
"Every gram of illicit substance we stop at the border is one less opportunity for harm to our community - that's what drives our work.
"Our partnerships, intelligence work, and the dedication of ABF officers continue to create a hostile environment at the border for criminal syndicates and their mules."
