A West Australian man who imported cocaine into Perth from Ireland and Northern Ireland has been sentenced today (25 May, 2026) to 10 years' imprisonment.
The Perth CBD man, 35, was the third person sentenced in relation to the importation of about four kilograms of cocaine through eight separate mail shipments, hidden inside face masks, curry packets and tomato soup sachets.
The parcels were sent from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to an Australian address provided by the 35-year-old between 6 November, 2022, and 1 April, 2023.
He was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years and six months, for:
One count of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, contrary to sections 11.5(1) and 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
One count of dealing with money or property that was, and that he believed to be, proceeds of crime, and at the time of the dealing the value of the money or property was $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
One count of dealing with money or other property, it being reasonable to suspect that such money or other property was proceeds of indictable crime and at the time of dealing the value of the money or property was $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.9(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
One count of trafficked cocaine, contrary to subsection 302.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
Three counts of possessed methamphetamine and cannabis, contrary to section 308.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
His sentencing follows the imprisonment of two others charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime.
A Morley man (who was 33 at the time) was sentenced on 21 December, 2023, to 15 months' imprisonment for dealing with $200,000 suspected to be the proceeds of drug crime.
A Piara Waters woman, now 39, was sentenced on 14 February, 2026, to six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months, and fined $5000 for dealing with $100,000 in suspected drug money.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector David Blockley said the cocaine seized in this matter might have arrived in the country in smaller amounts, but it still had the potential to cause unimaginable harm to the community.
"This investigation is yet another serious warning to those attempting to import harmful, illicit substances into Australia - we will identify you, seize your drugs and bring you to justice."
