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6 May 2009
Media Release
Man charged over people smuggling offences
A
32-year-old Iranian man will face Sydney Central Local Court today
after being arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly
facilitating people smuggling activities.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in a Thai-based
syndicate which assisted persons to enter Australia illegally.
The investigation began in January 2009 after an air cargo package
from Thailand was intercepted by Australian Customs and Border
Protection and was referred to the Department of Immigration and
Citizenship and the AFP.
The package contained a USB holding approximately 450 images of
passports, scanned passport photos and other details, such as names
and passport numbers.
AFP investigations revealed a large number of these passports had
been reported stolen by Interpol.
The man was arrested yesterday, with a search warrant executed by
AFP agents in Surry Hills a short time later.
The man was charged with taking part in the bringing or coming to
Australia of a non-citizen, under circumstances from which it might
reasonably have been inferred that the non-citizen intended to enter
Australia, contrary to section 233 (1) (a) of the Migration Act 1958.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment,
and/or $110,000 fine.
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