National media release
Drug laden food packages found at Sydney Airport
Wednesday, 01 October 2008
This is a joint Australian Federal Police and Customs Media Release
A 47-year-old Singaporean man will appear in Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing approximately 3.9kg of heroin concealed in packages of food.
Customs officers stopped the man for questioning after he arrived in Sydney on a flight from Malaysia yesterday (30 September 2008).
During a baggage examination several packages of commercial food were located. Further inspection of the packages uncovered blocks of a white powdered substance.
Initial testing of the substance indicated the presence of heroin.
The man was referred to the Australian Federal Police and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.
Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100