By RNZ.co.nz
A New Zealand national has been charged with attempting to import about 2kg of heroin in his luggage through Melbourne International Airport.
The man, 77, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.
Australian Border Force officers (ABF) examined the man’s luggage after he had arrived on a flight from Thailand and allegedly found white powder in the lining of his suitcase.
The substance tested positive for heroin.
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) detective acting superintendent Amanda Glover said the AFP works closely with its law enforcement partners to stop illicit drugs reaching Australian streets.
“Drug traffickers prey on our community, causing drug-related crime and the associated health and social costs,” she said.
“Every detection of drugs at the border keeps our community safer and ensure that drug traffickers cannot reap profits by preying on Australians.”
ABF superintendent Kelly-anne Parish said ABF officers are highly skilled and are always on alert to detect and stop the importation of illicit substances coming into Australia.
“Criminals will try to hide illicit drugs in a variety of ways, however no matter the amount of drugs that are hidden, big or small, our officers have the technology and expertise to find them,” she said.
“This is a good example of the real-time capabilities of our officers working at the border, 24 hours a day, to protect the Australian community from harmful drugs.
“The ABF and AFP work hard to protect the Australian community from the scourge of drugs and ensure airports are not part of the illicit supply chain.”
