Sydney man in a Mercedes arrested at Coolangatta border checkpoint with 145kg in cannabis

Police allege they found 145kg of cannabis stuffed into two hot water systems and a toolbox when they stopped a van at the Queensland border.

Police allege 145kg of cannabis was discovered at a border checkpoint in a van driven by a Sydney man on Thursday. Picture: NSW Police

A Sydney man was arrested by NSW Police at a Queensland border checkpoint after he was allegedly found with 145kg of cannabis in his van.

The man will appear in court on Friday after he allegedly attempted to cross into Queensland from NSW.

Police say officers were called to a checkpoint on Griffith Street at Coolangatta about 8.50pm on Thursday in response to concerns about a man attempting to cross the border for a second time that day.

A 48-year-old man – who was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van – allegedly told police he was transporting goods and had travelled from South Australia but could not provide a valid permit.

145kg of cannabis was allegedly discovered at a border checkpoint in a van driven by a Sydney man. Picture: NSW Police

He was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads District Hospital for Covid testing.

The vehicle was seized and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station.

Police allege they found 145kg of cannabis in vacuum sealed bags that were concealed inside two large hot water systems and a toolbox.

Police said the drugs had a potential street value of $1.2 million.

Officers also seized two mobiles phones, a knife, and other documentation. All items will undergo further testing.

After receiving a negative Covid result, the man was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with supplying a prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), possession of a knife in public and breaching Covid-19 travel restrictions for people from Sydney.

He is due to front Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday.