WATCH: Cops bust massive border drug runs
Two people have been busted attempting to smuggle huge amounts of drugs into the state in separate incidents at Queensland border checkpoints. WATCH THE VIDEO
Police & Courts
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A Sydney man has been busted allegedly trying to smuggle more than 100kg of cannabis with a street value over $1 million across the Queensland border.
Just before 9pm on Thursday, Tweed police were called to the Coolangatta border checkpoint by their Queensland counterparts, suspicious of a traveller who had made multiple attempts to cross the border.
The 48-year-old man – who was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van – told police he was transporting goods and had travelled from South Australia but could not provide a valid permit.
During a search of the vehicle, police located 145kgs of cannabis in vacuum sealed bags that was concealed inside two large hot water systems and a toolbox.
The cannabis has an estimated potential street value of $1.2 million.
Police also seized two mobiles phones, a knife, and other documentation. All items will undergo further testing.
The man was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), custody of knife in public place, not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19, travel from metropolitan Sydney to NSW outside area.
He was refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday.
Meanwhile, a Queensland man has been charged after he attempted to smuggle a “large quantity” of crystal methamphetamine over the border.
Police stopped the 40-year-old Hope Island man at the M1 border checkpoint about 7.55am on Tuesday.
“It will be alleged the man returned a positive roadside drug test and police searched his vehicle with officers locating 236.4 grams of a substance suspected of being crystal methamphetamine hidden behind carpet on the passenger side footwell as well as $1800 cash in a compartment on the dashboard of the car,” police said in a statement.
He was charged with possess a dangerous drug (major), possess property suspected of being proceeds of a drug crime, possess dangerous drug and possess utensil.
He is due to reappear in the Southport Magistrates Court today.
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