Two charged over alleged drug smuggling attempt after coke, meth found in suitcases

More than $28 million worth of drugs was seized from two travellers who arrived at Sydney airport last week, after the substances were found stashed in bizarre places.

A Canadian-Ecuadorean man made an uncomfortable trip to Australia last week, after allegedly strapping more than six kilos of cocaine to his groin with electrical tape and bandages.

Walter Alcivar allegedly positioned the drugs between two pairs of underpants, in an attempt to smuggle the cocaine into Sydney on September 21.

But his plot was quickly foiled by the Australian Border Force (ABF), who searched him after identifying “abnormalities” on his visa application.

ABF officials removed the package, which contained a liquid substance that returned a positive result for cocaine, and called in Australian Federal Police.

Alcivar was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug – an offence which carries a potential maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Rather than seeing the sights of Sydney, he is now sitting in a prison cell on remand.

Bandages allegedly used to strap the drugs to the man’s groin. Picture: AFP

Drugs were allegedly found in these suitcases. Picture: AFP

Just 48-hours later, US national Luis Sanchez allegedly tried to smuggle 21kg of cocaine and 21kg of meth into Sydney stashed between his underwear and socks in two large suitcases.

Twenty-eight suspicious packages were allegedly found in the bags, and the 23-year-old was charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

He too, is sitting in a cell, after his bail was refused this week.

One of the 28 packages of drugs allegedly found in Sanchez’s luggage. Picture: AFP

The two seizures had an estimated street value of more than $28 million, with AFP Acting Sydney Airport Police Commander Dom Stephenson urging travellers to think twice about trying to smuggle drugs into the country.

“Despite all the risks involved, we are still arresting people attempting to bring illicit drugs into our country through our airport,” he said.

“When individuals travel to Australia with drugs hidden in their possession, it should come as no surprise they will be detected and face the full consequences of the law.”

ABF Acting Superintendent Andrew Snook said these detections proved that travellers were not comprehending the consequences of making such brazen attempts to smuggle illicit substances into our country.

More than $28 million worth of drugs was seized in 48 hours. Picture: AFP

“Criminal syndicates are exploiting young travellers who may not understand the risks of importing border controlled drugs into Australia, all for their own financial gain,” A/Supt Snook said.

“ABF officers use a combination of intelligence, observation, and intuition when it comes to

identifying passengers who may be attempting to smuggle drugs into the country.

“The quantities alleged to have been stopped at Sydney Airport would have resulted in millions of street deals flooded into the illicit drug market and put thousands of lives at risk.”

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