National media release
Two men charged over people smuggling
Friday, 03 April 2009
Two Indonesian men who allegedly facilitated a people smuggling venture to Australia in March will face Perth Magistrates Court today after they were charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with people smuggling.
The AFP will allege in court this morning the men crewed a vessel as part of an attempt to smuggle up to 52 passengers into Australia on 14 March 2009.
The men, aged 22 and 62, are alleged to be the crew members of the vessel which was intercepted by the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Bundaberg, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, off the Coburg Peninsula.
The two men were charged by the AFP on 2 April with one count of facilitating the bringing of non-citizens into Australia (of 5 or more people) contrary to Section 232A of the Migration Act 1958.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years’ imprisonment or a $220 000 fine.
Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100