Hamza Cukovic makes bail bid after charged with $3.3m drug importation plot using new vans

A father allegedly caught “red-handed” with dozens of kilos of imported drugs, which had been concealed inside two commercial vans as part of an $3.3m importation plot, has made a bid for bail.

Hamza Cukovic was arrested in July following an investigation into allegedly importation of ketamine in vans. Picture: AFP

A father allegedly caught “red-handed” with dozens of kilos of imported drugs, which had been concealed inside two commercial vans as part of an $3.3m importation plot, has been refused bail.

Hamza Cukovic, 28, of Meadow Heights in Melbourne, was charged after his alleged involvement in a transnational crime syndicate which imported 84kg of ketamine into Australia.

He was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and importing a border controlled drug following his arrest in July and applied for release in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday. He has not yet entered any pleas.

An Australian Federal Police statement at the time of the arrest said Operation Meribel began in May after the AFP received intelligence from law enforcement partners about a criminal syndicate importing drugs hidden inside commercial vans.

Investigations identified a bulk cargo carrier transporting two new vehicles suspected to conceal the drugs which arrived in Melbourne on May 15.

The seized ketamine. Picture: AFP

Australian Border Force officers examined the vehicles on the vessel and allegedly found drugs concealed inside panels of the vehicles.

The AFP seized 79 plastic bags, allegedly containing 84kg of ketamine, and replaced them with a harmless substance before the vehicles were delivered to their intended destination in NSW.

The amount of ketamine has an estimated wholesale value of $3.36m, an AFP statement said.

Once the vessel arrived in NSW, the vehicles were transported to a Sydney car dealership, where one was later collected.

Police were monitoring the vans when they allege Cukovic and another man stole one of the vehicles – which contained about half of the substituted drugs – removed the packages, placed them into another vehicle and then abandoned the van.

It will be alleged police followed the men to the Sydney suburb of Yennora, the statement said.

On July 1, AFP officers followed the vehicle allegedly carrying the substituted drugs to Smithfield, where the two men were arrested and search warrants were carried out on two vehicles.

Cukovic’s co-accused was arrested the same day. Picture: AFP

The court heard Cukovic was allegedly driving the car with the substituted drugs. Police further allege Cukovic had a GPS device, removed from one of the vans, in his backpack, along with the key for the other vehicle, the court heard.

The court heard there was evidence of communications between Cukovic and his co-accused about tracking the van, the bags of drugs and one of the bags breaking.

A prosecutor said the cases against Cukovic appeared “very strong” and he allegedly “was caught red-handed with the drugs”.

The court heard Cukovic had strong family ties and could provide a $400,000 surety provided by his parents-in-law in the form of their house. The court heard he had two young children and a wife who relied on him for financial support.

Cukovic’s wife had agreed to use $25,000 on payment for an electronic ankle bracelet if that would help secure his bail.

The prosecutor opposed bail noting Cukovic had a criminal record in Victoria where he had breached court orders, adding his family’s circumstance was “regrettable but unremarkable”.

He submitted if Cukovic was not granted bail then there was no need for his wife to use her savings.

Magistrate Julie Huber said the case against Cukovic appeared to be “very strong” and his alleged involvement included in a “well-planned venture” that involved international and national players.

She refused to grant bail with the case adjourned to October.