Sydney man charged with cocaine importation as police seize $460,000 cash

The Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG) yesterday seized $460,000 in cash and charged a 24-year-old Sydney man with the attempted importation of more than two kilograms of cocaine.

The JOCG comprises the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Crime Commission and NSW Crime Commission.

The Surry Hills man is the third person to be arrested in relation to the attempted importation of almost 2.2kg of cocaine, hidden within an air-cargo consignment of books sent from China in July 2010.

The man is scheduled to appear at Sydney Central Court today.

The JOCG has previously charged a 20-year-old man and a 19-year-old man with importation offences in January and March respectively.

The JOCG yesterday executed search warrants at Surry Hills and Lansvale, seizing $460,000 in cash. It will be alleged in court that this money was the proceeds of crime.

The man has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs, namely cocaine, contrary to Section 307.2 Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and dealing in proceeds of crime, worth $100,000 or more, contrary to Section 400.4(2) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The respective maximum penalties for these offences are: 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine; and 10 years imprisonment and/or a $66,000 fine.

Media enquiries:

AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
NSW State Crime Command, Nikki Woloszuk 0425 214 090
Customs Media Team (02) 6275 6793