A South Australian man has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the District Court of South Australia after being convicted for trying to smuggle 25kg of cannabis hidden in his luggage on a flight to New South Wales.
The man, 56, was jailed yesterday (25 March, 2026) and will serve a non-parole period of one year, after which he will serve the remaining one year and eight months under a recognisance release order.
An AFP investigation began on 7 August, 2024, after airport staff reported suspicions about the contents of a suitcase checked in by a passenger for a domestic flight due to depart from Adelaide.
Investigators searched the suitcase and another piece of luggage belonging to the same man and found several plastic bags hidden inside. Forensic examination of the substance in the plastic bags confirmed it was cannabis, weighing a total of 25kg.
The AFP charged the man with:
• One count of trafficking a controlled drug, contrary to section 302.4 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
• One count of using false identification at a constitutional airport, contrary to section 376.2(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
• Refuse or fail to provide information on Constable's request, contrary to subsection 3V(2)(d) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
The man pleaded guilty to these offences in August, 2025.
AFP Inspector Dan Finley said the AFP and its law enforcement partners were committed to disrupting the brazen attempts of criminals to traffic illicit substances into the community.
"Australian airports and air travel are not gateways and supply chains for criminal syndicates," Insp Finley said.
"Anyone attempting to conceal illicit substances will be caught and prosecuted.
"Illicit substances cause significant harm to individuals, their families, the Australian community and health systems. The AFP is focused on disrupting criminals from attempting to profit at the expense and suffering of Australians."
