Adam Phillip Hunter, 33, and Timothy John Engstrom, 34, remain in jail over cocaine haul
Adam Phillip Hunter, 33, and Timothy John Engstrom, 34, remain behind bars over “incredibly sophisticated” cocaine import
Canberra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Canberra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Navy sailor pleads guilty to “willy nilly” crotch gropings at pub
- Top Canberra bikie to be deported after minister steps in
- Prisoner stuffed lighter up his bum after setting fire to his cell
- Olympian fronts court on cocaine charge
Two men remain in custody over the alleged importation of 384 kilograms of cocaine found hidden in an excavator.
The matter was briefly mentioned in Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday and will return to court on January 13 after prosecutors confirm the charges.
Adam Phillip Hunter and Timothy John Engstrom, aged 33 and 34 respectively, are charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drug and attempting to possess a border-controlled drug.
No bail applications were made by either of the men, who didn’t appear in court, but magistrate Michael Antrum formally refused bail.
The men were charged after a joint operation involving NSW, federal and ACT officers and Australian Border Force.
Border authorities discovered the cocaine-laden excavator in June after it was X-rayed at the Sydney Container Examination Facility.
The cocaine was then emptied out and replaced with another substance, before it was delivered to a Bungendore business on July 14 where the two men were arrested.
It’s alleged the second-hand machine from South Africa concealed 384kg of cocaine with a street value of about $144 million.
At the time, acting ABF deputy commissioner operations Sharon Huey said the concealment of the cocaine was “incredibly sophisticated”.