National media release
Man arrested for attempted drug importation
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Joint Australian Federal Police and Customs Media Release
A 25-year-old French national will face Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged in relation to the importation of approximately 672 grams of cocaine.
Customs officers at Melbourne Airport stopped the male passenger for a baggage examination after he arrived on a flight from Dubai on Saturday 8 March 2008.
During questioning, officers became suspicious that the man was concealing drugs internally and referred him to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The man was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where a scan revealed he was concealing more than 80 packages.
It will be alleged in court that he passed a total of 84 packages believed to contain cocaine.
Forensics testing will be carried out on the content of the packages to confirm the commodity.
The man will be charged with importation and possession of a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug under the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment.
Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100