Portuguese traveller charged after ‘ingesting 100 cocaine pellets’

In an embarrassing move, a Portuguese national has been forced to excrete an alleged 1.6kg of cocaine in pellets that police say he swallowed before boarding a flight to Sydney.

A Portuguese traveller has had a painful experience after entering customs — being rushed to hospital and allegedly “expelling” 100 pellets of cocaine.

The man came to the attention of Australian Federal Police after officers made a routine baggage check at Sydney Airport on New Year’s Day.

They allege Dickson Okorie Ukeje’s bags returned a positive test for cocaine. He was then taken to hospital, where a CT scan confirmed the presence of the pellets in his body.

Police allege Ukeje then “expelled” 1.6kg of cocaine in 100 pellets — which they believe he swallowed when he left France, stopping off in Hong Kong, before landing in Sydney.

It was the second time this week someone had allegedly ingested drugs and tried to pass through customs in Sydney, police said.

Two of the 100 pellets excreted by Ukeje.

He was stopped after a routine check on his bags.

“Anyone who smuggles drugs internally not only risks substantial jail time but is also taking grave risks with their health and wellbeing,” AFP Acting Superintendent Carly Smith said.

“They risk their own lives and cause harm in the community by providing access to illicit substances. The AFP is working closely with ABF and other partners to make sure our airports remain a hostile environment for criminal syndicates.”

The goods, after they allegedly left Ukeje’s body.

Ukeje was charged with importing a marketable quantity of cocaine and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Friday.

He made no application for bail and will remain in custody until his case returns to the same court later this year.

Ukeje’s alleged feat involved more cocaine than infamous drug smuggler Andrew Melville managed to stuff in his rectum before passing through the airport in 2017.

Eastern suburbs-based Melville was jailed for hiding 74 pellets weighing 274g in his anus in what he told a court was an attempt to pay off a $20,000 debt.