Three people have been arrested following an investigation by the newly named Australian Border Force.
It all began late June 2015 when a shipment arrived into Sydney from Malaysia. The consignment was a air compressor unit, marked for delivery to the Sydney suburb of Epping.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined the package, noting abnormalities within the chamber of the air compressor. A large number of plastic bags containing a white powder was discovered, with the matter then being referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The AFP investigated the package and tested the white powder – which was positive for heroin. The contents were removed – the total weight of the seizure of heroin was 15 kilograms. The contraband was then replaced with an inert matter and the package was released for delivery to Epping.
The consignee was identified as a 25-year old Taiwanese woman from Lane Cove. She was observed accessing the chamber of the air compressor, and leaving the premises with a bag containing the white powder. She then met up with two Taiwanese men, aged 24 and 25. All three members were then arrested by the Australian Federal Police.
The woman has been charged with the importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth) 1995. All three have been charged with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
This seizure has prevented at least 150,000 hits of heroin (with a street value of approximately $7.5 million) from reaching the community.
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
