A 31-year-old man from Port Neill was arrested after an Australian Border Force (ABF) and South Australia Police (SAPOL) investigation linked him to the importation and distribution of numerous border controlled drugs via the dark net.
The man was arrested after ABF and SAPOL officers executed several search warrants at residential properties in Adelaide and the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.
During the warrants, ABF officers and SAPOL members seized 910 doses of an amphetamine type substance, 380 LSD doses and 72 capsules and 15 grams of MDMA. A number of other powders and liquids, which the ABF will allege were to be used in the manufacture of illicit drugs, were also seized.
The man has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs, an offence contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cwth).
SAPOL will charge the man with 14 counts of trafficking in a controlled drug contrary to section 32 of the Controlled Substances Act.
ABF Acting Commander Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Craig Palmer, said the arrest showed that Australia’s law enforcement authorities are working together to target illicit drug importation from dark net websites.
“We are well aware of these websites and take any attempts to import illegal border controlled drugs very seriously,” Acting Commander Palmer said.
“Working with our partner agencies, we will continue to target those people who think they can illegally purchase and import illicit goods online.”
Superintendent Andrew Thiele, Eyre and Western Local Service Area, said people should not think they are immune from police detection if they participate in criminal activities such as drug trafficking and live in a remote location. Police will continue to target those people who live in regional areas and cause harm to the community through drug dealing.
The man arrested could face a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $900,000.
