A 46-year-old UK national appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 22 November 2024 after being charged with attempting to smuggle drugs through Melbourne Airport.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) were called to the airport yesterday morning when the man, en route to Bali, Indonesia, aroused suspicion.
AFP Detective Inspector Chris Salmon emphasised the importance of vigilance at Australia’s airports.
“Criminals use various methods to sneak contraband through our airports, but the AFP and our partners are committed to maintaining a secure safety net around Australia’s borders,” Det-Insp Salmon said.
“Drug crime, whether large-scale importation or small-scale smuggling, has a damaging impact on the community.”
Following inquiries, police believed the man was concealing drugs internally. He was arrested and taken to hospital, where about 100 grams of a powdered substance, suspected to be MDMA, was allegedly found hidden in his underpants.
The man has been charged with:
- Attempting to export a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.
- Possessing a controlled drug, contrary to section 308.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
The man remains in custody as investigations continue.
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