Model truck shipped from Thailand had 35kg of heroin inside

An alleged drug smuggler who thought he could toy with police by trying to import more than $14m of heroin inside a model truck could find himself permanently in the naughty corner.

An alleged drug smuggler who thought he could toy with police by trying to import more than $14 million of heroin inside a model truck could find himself permanently in the naughty corner.

Police will allege a 21-year-old from Laos attempted to smuggle more than 35kg of the drug into Sydney after having a model truck stuffed with heroin in Thailand and shipped Down Under earlier this month.

Australian Federal Police intercepted the truck, located the drugs in a hidden compartment, removed the heroin and pieced it back together.

Police say they found more than 35kg of heroin concealed in this model truck. Picture: Supplied

Officers delivered the package to an apartment in Haymarket, where they allege the 21-year-old accepted the delivery of it.

Police said they were surprised one man was allegedly behind the plot, given the complexities behind managing such a large amount of heroin. It could have netted him $4 million.

“There is typically an organised crime syndicate behind such importations because of the complexities in sourcing the heroin, the costs in sending it to Australia and the connections needed to sell it once on shore,” AFP Sergeant Alex Drummond said.

“The AFP is working closely with its international law enforcement partners in Thailand and Laos to trace the origins of the heroin and identify other members of the syndicate.”

The man is potentially facing life in jail if convicted, after being charged with importing a commercial quantity of drugs.

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