Man Charged Over Cocaine Disguised As Paracetamol

Man Charged Over Cocaine Disguised as Paracetamol

A 56-year-old United States citizen will appear in Sydney Central Local Court
today charged with importing approximately 200 grams of cocaine disguised as
paracetamol capsules.

Customs officers at Sydney International Airport stopped the man after he
arrived on a flight from New York yesterday.

During a search of the man's baggage, officers found two bottles of what
appeared to be pain relief medication. Preliminary testing indicated the
presence of cocaine inside the capsules.

Australian Federal Police arrested the man and charged him with importing a
marketable quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to the Commonwealth
Criminal Code 1995.

The capsules are the subject of further forensic testing to determine the exact
weight and purity of the drug.

The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years imprisonment and/or a
$550,000 fine.


Media enquiries:
Customs Media (02) 6275 6793
AFP Media (Canberra) (02) 6275 7100

Images of the detection are available in the Customs image gallery at -
www.customs.gov.au



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SOURCE: Australian Customs