Upon their arrival from Thailand on April 23, two men, aged 35 and 36, had their luggage inspected by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers.
The officers reportedly discovered a plastic bag concealed within the lining of each man’s carry-on luggage, containing 4.5 kilograms of an off-white substance, which was later identified as heroin.
Faced with this discovery, the men attempted to escape by running through the terminal, into the international arrivals area, and eventually outside.
A member of the public assisted in apprehending the 35-year-old, with officers deploying pepper spray during the arrest.
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old suspect was apprehended in Surry Hills five days later, on April 28.
Additionally, a third individual, aged 34, who arrived on a different flight from Thailand the same day, was also taken into custody.
His bag also allegedly had heroin hidden in the lining.
Footage released by the Australian Federal Police from the airport includes a video of a dog sniffing and then sitting down by a small suitcase.
That’s usually a sign the dog has identified something suspicious.
The men were each charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to subsection 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code.
They face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“The AFP continues to work hand-in-hand with the ABF to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal syndicates that seek to harm Australian communities through drug importation,” AFP Detective Superintendent Davina Copelin said.
“Anyone contemplating involvement in drug trafficking should be aware these are serious offences.
“The penalties can be severe, including life imprisonment, and those involved will be detected, arrested and held to account before the courts.”
ABF Superintendent Elke West said Australian Border Force officers were Australia’s first line of defence.
“ABF officers operate around the clock at the border to stop harmful substances, including heroin, from reaching the community,” he said.
“While criminal syndicates continue to adapt their concealment techniques, our officers are supported by specialist training and sophisticated technology to uncover these imports.”
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