A Sydney man, aged 91, has been charged with importing cocaine. Although it is believed the man was the victim of a fraud, he can still be held accountable.
According to the Australian Federal Police, the Epping man carried about 4.5kg of cocaine filled in 27 bars of soap, on a flight from New Delhi to Sydney on 8th July.
The case has warned travellers to pack their luggage carefully and be wary of inadvertently becoming drug couriers for overseas criminal syndicates.
The man has been charged and is due to face Sydney Central Local Court on Tuesday.
In a statement, Tim Fitzgerald, ABF Regional Commander NSW said “Luggage is a personal responsibility. If you’ve been asked to carry something on behalf of another person, be sure you know exactly what is inside.”
Wayne Buchhorn, AFP Acting National Manager Aviation said that travellers should be aware that if they knowingly, or unwittingly, bring drugs back into the country they may be charged.
The maximum penalty for drug importation is life imprisonment.