Man arrested after alleged cocaine import in frozen fish from Peru
Cocaine was the catch of the day when police seized more than $20 million of the illicit drug allegedly concealed in two shipping containers full of frozen fish bound for Sydney’s southwest.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Cocaine was the catch of the day when police seized more than $20 million of the illicit drug allegedly concealed in two shipping containers full of frozen fish.
A 48-year-old Sydney man has been charged after he allegedly imported three containers with consignments of frozen fish concealing 59kg of cocaine from Peru to Australia between September 2017 and March 2018.
The Australian Federal Police will allege the first container, which arrived in Sydney in September 2017, was a “dry run” with no drugs inside.
The second shipment on March 24 this year allegedly sounded alarm bells when an x-ray examination revealed anomalies in the refrigeration unit of both containers.
Officers discovered dozens of taped packages in both containers amounting to 59kg of cocaine.
Police removed the drugs and the containers were delivered to a Kingsgrove address, before they were allegedly moved repeatedly between different storage facilities across Sydney.
After extensive investigations police arrested a 48-year-old Woolloomooloo man in connection with the alleged importation.
The man was apprehended on his arrival at Sydney International Airport and charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine.
He faces life in prison for the offence and will appear at Sydney Central Local Court on May 30.
ABF Acting Commander Enforcement Command Matt Stock said it was a great example of co-operation between Commonwealth law enforcement agencies.
“Since the inception of the Home Affairs Portfolio, the ABF and the AFP have been working together better than ever before to stop these threats to the Australian border,” he said.
“Criminals who attempt to import these types of substances should know, no matter where you hide it or how complex the concealment, the ABF and our partner agencies will find it and bring you to justice.”
AFP acting Manager Organised Crime Krissy Barrett said the investigation was a testament to border officers’ vigilance.
“The AFP investigators on this case worked tirelessly,” a/Commander Barrett said.
“They pursued the investigation and were able to stop 59 kilograms of cocaine at the border thanks to our partnership with ABF, and gather enough evidence to make this arrest.”