Ian Tapaatoutai: Cromer man in court on $5.8m coke importation charges
A Cromer man who police allege tried to import — via airfreight — cocaine worth $5.8 million has appeared in Manly Local Court.
Manly
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A man from the northern beaches has been charged with importing 13kgs of cocaine — with a street value of $5.8 million — into Sydney.
Ian Tapaatoutai, 34, of Cromer, is alleged to be involved in the shipment of the illegal drug in an air cargo consignment that arrived from Greece earlier this month.
Police will allege multiple packets of cocaine were discovered by Australian Border Force officers who X-rayed a steering console for a small boat, packed into a cardboard box.
Strike Force Mactier was formed with officers from the NSW Police Organised Crime Squad, Australian Federal Police and the NSW Crime Commission.
At 1pm on Tuesday strike force detectives arrested Mr Tapaatoutai when they pulled his car over in Bay Rd, Waverton.
The vehicle was searched, and detectives seized $7690 in cash, mobile phones and SIM cards.
Police said that later on Tuesday Mr Tapaatoutai’s that day, a search warrant was executed at a home at Cromer Street, Cromer, where investigators seized a mobile phone, SIM card, steroid tablets and documentation.
He was taken to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged with possess commercial quantity suspect illegal import border-controlled drug; deal with property proceeds of crime and possess anabolic or androgenic steroidal agent.
Mr Tapaatoutai appeared in Manly Local Court on Wednesday. He did not apply for bail.
Magistrate Susan Horan adjourned the matter for mention to Manly court on April 15.
No pleas were entered.
Investigations under Strike Force Mactier are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist the strike force is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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