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Canadian national charged after more than 11kg of cocaine allegedly found in luggage at Sydney Airport

Police working out of a major airport have released photos of a “brazen” find as a warning for travellers during the festive season.

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Police in Sydney have arrested a Canadian man after more that 11kg of cocaine was allegedly found stashed in his luggage.

The 38-year-old traveller was singled out after arriving in Sydney from the United States on Thursday.

Australian Border Force officers allegedly located 10 vacuum-sealed packages in his luggage, with a combined estimate weight of 11.6kg.

Ten packages were allegedly found in his luggage. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Federal Police.
Ten packages were allegedly found in his luggage. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Federal Police.
Police say the white powder tested positive for cocaine. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Federal Police.
Police say the white powder tested positive for cocaine. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Federal Police.

ABF superintendent Elke West vowed that as passenger numbers surge over the holiday period; “routine targeting and interceptions do not stop”.

“Criminal syndicates will attempt to exploit and manipulate vulnerable travellers in order to bypass border attention,” he said.

“Our message is that we see you, and we will work to stamp out the scourge of illicit drugs coming into our country.”

The Canadian man was arrested and remanded into custody. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Federal Police.
The Canadian man was arrested and remanded into custody. Picture: Supplied/ Australian Federal Police.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Dom Stephenson labeled the incident an allegedly “brazen attempt” to smuggle drugs into Australia.

“For those who arrive in our country with drugs in their possession, they should expect to be detected and face the full consequences of the law,” he said.

The Canadian man has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and will appear in court on February 12.

Read related topics:Sydney Airport
Liam Beatty
Liam BeattyJournalist

Liam Beatty is a court reporter with NCA NewsWire. He has previously worked in newsrooms in Victoria and Western Australia.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/canadian-national-charged-after-more-than-11kg-of-cocaine-allegedly-found-in-luggage-at-sydney-airport/news-story/3982abf4f41f006f6f2858035e86a18a