Two Mexican men have been arrested over the attempted importation of 300kg of cocaine into Melbourne via air cargo in pallets of cocoa powder.
The arrests were made after the seizure of the illicit drugs worth around $105 million by police and border protection offers.
The men, aged 33 and 34, are scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.
A representative from the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce wheels in 300kg of cocaine
The men, aged 33 and 34, are scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday
Two Mexican men have been arrested over the attempted importation of 300kg of cocaine into Melbourne via air cargo in pallets of cocoa powder
Earlier this month, the 34-year-old Mexican man arrived at Melbourne International Airport on a flight from Los Angeles.
He was examined by Australian Border Force officers, who detected a small quantity of cocaine.
The man was detained and an investigation begun.
Following enquires, police seized of a consignment labelled as coffee and cocoa powder from a business premises in Altona, Victoria.
Allegedly concealed within the consignment was approximately 300kgs of cocaine.
Border Force’s Rod Winchester said international drug syndicates consider Australia a popular destination due to high demand.
Following enquires, police seized of a consignment labelled as coffee and cocoa powder from a business premises in Altona, Victoria
Drugs were smuggled in a consignment labelled as coffee and cocoa powder
‘Sadly, Australians are still prepared to pay a very high price for drugs including cocaine, but we aren’t making it easy for them,’ he said.
‘This is why Border Force officers turn up to work each day – to play their part in stopping dangerous people, peddling dangerous drugs, from entering our country and ruining Australian lives.’
The 34-year-old Mexican man, who was previously detained, was formally arrested at the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre. The 33 year-old was arrested at the Port Melbourne premises.
Police and border protection agencies have seized approximately 300 kilograms of cocaine imported into Melbourne via air cargo in pallets of cocoa powder
Both men have been charged with the importation a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
The 33-year-old has also been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Allegedly concealed within the consignment was approximately 300kgs of cocaine
Cocaine seized by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce
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