Passenger arriving in Adelaide caught carrying 2.5kg of heroin

Tags:
2013-03-10

A 21year-old-man from Vietnam has been charged with allegedly importing two and a half kilos of heroin into Australia after a joint operation at Adelaide International Airport.

The man arrived at Adelaide airport on a flight from Singapore and was targeted by Customs and Border Protection officers. X-ray examination of the man’s luggage showed irregularities in a box of cushions.

The package was sampled and returned a presumptive positive test for heroin.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers arrested the man and charged him with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act (1995). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

The man will face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday (12 March 2013).

AFP Manager Adelaide Office, Commander Mick Calatzis said that this interception is a good demonstration of the combined effort in place to stop drugs entering Australia.

“The AFP and Customs and Border Protection share a common goal to protect our community by ensuring that these illegal and dangerous drugs never hit the streets,” Commander Calatzis said.

“This interception means that thousands of hits of heroin will never be made available. This can only be a good thing for the people of South Australia.”

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Airport Operations South, Tonie Differding, said that this detection highlighted the excellent results achieved when partner law enforcement agencies work together closely.

"Our officers, together with the AFP, are committed to detecting and seizing these illicit drugs," Mrs Differding said.

"I’d warn anyone considering this dangerous trade that Customs and Border Protection will continue to target such narcotics in partnership with the AFP."

Investigations remain ongoing and the AFP has not ruled out further arrests.

Source:　Australian Federal Police

  • 308 reads