News Centre

This is a joint media release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force

Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail

A UK national, 83, has been charged for allegedly concealing about 2kg of heroin inside his carry-on baggage in a failed attempt to smuggle the illicit drug into Melbourne Airport.

The investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted an x-ray examination of two carry-on bags belonging to the man after his arrival at Melbourne International Airport from Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday 9 July, 2024.

ABF officers allegedly found a white substance concealed in the man’s black duffel bag and further testing of the substance returned a positive result for heroin.

The matter was subsequently referred to the AFP and the man was arrested at the International Arrivals Baggage Examination area on Wednesday 10 July, 2024.

The man was charged with:

• One count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
• One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Cth).

He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 10 July, 2024, and was scheduled to reappear on 3 October 2024.

The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.

AFP Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur said the AFP was committed to targeting and prosecuting criminals who attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into our community.

“Criminal groups will go to any lengths to bring illicit substances into our country,” Det-Supt McArthur said.

“We know the devastating impact heroin and other drugs have on individuals and their families – that’s why we’re committed to stopping the flow at our border.

“This amount of heroin would have accounted for 10,000 individual hits had it reached Australian shores.

“The AFP will continue to work tirelessly with the ABF and other partners to ensure these dangerous substances don’t reach our communities.

“I would like to thank our Melbourne Airport Aviation Operations team for their dedicated efforts in responding to aviation security and criminal threats every day and making Melbourne Airport a safe environment for everyone.”

ABF Superintendent Kelly-Anne Parish said that although the market for illicit drugs in Australia was strong, ABF officers remained committed to stopping the flow at the border.

“ABF officers at Melbourne International Airport are highly skilled to observe passenger behaviours, relying not purely on intelligence, but intuition and instinct to identify potential threats,” Supt. Kelly-Anne Parish said.

“Criminals will try to hide illicit substances in a variety of ways, and our officers have many sophisticated detection methods at their disposal.

“This detection of illicit drugs should serve as a warning to all travellers, regardless of age, who wish to run the gauntlet and attempt to bypass our border controls – we will stop you in your tracks and you will be placed before the courts.”

Note to media:

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at counsellingonline.org.au.
• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to turningpoint.org.au.