Three Perth men arrested following attempt to internally import drugs
Three men in Perth have been charged with drug offences following an attempt to import methylamphetamine into Australia.
A 44-year-old Perth man is scheduled to appear before Perth Magistrates Court today for allegedly importing 608 grams of methylamphetamine concealed inside his stomach.
As a result of information provided by Western Australia Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers conducted a baggage examination when the man arrived at Perth International Airport on a flight from Thailand on
4 October 2013.
Initial testing revealed traces of methylamphetamine and the matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP transferred the man to hospital for medical examination following suspicions he may have been concealing drugs internally.
A total of 152 pellets containing 608 grams of methylamphetamine were retrieved. The man was yesterday charged with importing a marketable quantity of a Border Controlled Drug contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 and is to appear in court today.
Western Australia Police later arrested a 42-year-old Koondoola man at his house and charged him with importing a marketable quantity of a Border Controlled Drug contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. He was bailed to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on 1 November 2013.
Following further investigation, the AFP and West Australian Police arrested a 43-year-old Padbury man on Monday, 7 October and charged him with importing a marketable quantity of a Border Controlled Drug contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 and possess methylamphetamine with intent to sell of supply contrary to section 6(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The man appeared before court on 8 October and was remanded in custody for a bail hearing on 11 October 2013.
AFP Acting National Manager Aviation David Stewart said these arrests demonstrate the combined efforts of law enforcement and border protection agencies to combat drug importation.
“People will go to dangerous lengths in their attempts to smuggle drugs into Australia, and internal concealments are extremely dangerous and high risk,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
“The AFP is committed to working closely with its partner agencies to ensure these drugs don’t go undetected and make it into our communities.”
Detective Inspector Chris Adams, WA Police Serious and Organised Crime Division said that the WA Police Organised Crime Squad works closely with state and national law enforcement agencies across Australia to target those people involved in the importation and distribution of illicit drugs.
“The use of illicit drugs is in our community creates flow on effects in relation to crime, health and family breakdowns,” said Detective Inspector Adams.
“People who sell drugs are doing nothing more than profiting from the misery they create for others.”
“The flow on effect in our community includes the burglaries, robberies and other volume crime offences committed to pay for a drug habit, and the link to violence and domestic violence whilst under the influence of drugs. “
ACBPS National Manager Airport Operations South Tonie Differding congratulated airport operations officers on preventing this illicit drug from reaching the streets.
“No matter how these illegal drugs are hidden, our officers have the intelligence, the skills, and the technology to stop dangerous drugs from entering the country.”
The maximum penalty for importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.
Australian Customs website – http://www.customs.gov.au/site/131010mediarelease_joint-internal-drugs.asp – 10 October 2013
