A 77-year-old man has been charged after two kilograms of heroin were allegedly found in the lining of his suitcase.
The New Zealander arrived at Melbourne Airport from Thailand yesterday.
Australian Border Force officers (ABF) examined the luggage and allegedly found “white powder” hidden inside.
Police allege a test revealed it was heroin.
The man faced Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody.
The AFP charged the man with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled substance, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He could face life in prison.
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AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Amanda Glover said the AFP works with law enforcement partners to stop illicit drugs from reaching Australia.
“Drug traffickers prey on our community, causing drug-related crime and the associated health and social costs,” Glover said.
“Every detection of drugs at the border keeps our community safer and ensure that drug traffickers cannot reap profits by preying on Australians.”
ABF Superintendent Kelly-Anne Parish said ABF officers are always on alert.
“Criminals will try to hide illicit drugs in a variety of ways, however no matter the amount of drugs that are hidden, big or small, our officers have the technology and expertise to find them,” Supt Parish said.
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