Perth man fined $60,000 for importing ‘ice’ pipes

19-09-2016 –

A 33-year-old West Australian man has been fined $60,000 in Perth Magistrates Court today after being found guilty of three counts of importing ‘ice’ pipes through the post in 2014.

Hoang Nam Nguyen was summonsed in July 2014, after investigators from the then Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) executed a search warrant at his “Cloud 9 Smoke Shop & Accessories” business premises in Perth. More than 300 ‘ice’ pipes were located and seized.

Investigators conducted the search after detecting a number of parcels sent to Nguyen from China between May and July 2014, which contained commercial quantities of ‘ice’ pipes.

Upon his arrest, Nguyen was charged with importing prohibited imports through the post, in contravention of section 233(1)(b) of the Customs Act 1901. In addition to his $60,000 fine, Nguyen was ordered to pay $36,500 in court costs and a conviction has been recorded.

Australian Border Force Acting Commander Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Craig Palmer, said that these types of glass pipes found are prohibited as they can be used to administer methamphetamine, or ‘ice’.

He said importers of prohibited drug paraphernalia were taking significant risks which put themselves and their community in danger.

“We know that ‘ice’ is a dangerous drug that does enormous harm to our community,” Acting Commander Palmer said.

“The Australian Border Force is committed to taking the fight up to those who intend to profit from community suffering by not just stopping illicit drugs at the border, but also targeting the importation of the implements used to consume them.

“The significant fine imposed on Nguyen highlights how serious Australian authorities are about protecting our community and taking swift action against those responsible for putting our safety at risk.”

Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244

Australian Border Force stops harmful drugs entering Sydney

Australian Border Force stops harmful drugs entering Sydney

16-09-2016 –

Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators have charged a 49-year-old Australian citizen with importing 6.7kg of ephedrine concealed in toiletries and food products.

On 12 September, ABF officers conducted an examination of the woman’s baggage after she arrived at Sydney International Airport from Vietnam. During the search, ABF officers noticed inconsistent packing of the toiletries and food products, with subsequent testing proving positive for ephedrine.

Ephedrine is used as a precursor agent in the manufacture of illegal amphetamine substances, such as ice.

The woman appeared in Central Local court on Tuesday (13 September 2016) charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor contrary to section 307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, which carries a maximum penalty for an individual of 25 years’ imprisonment.

ABF Acting Commander Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Tim Pieper, said these seizures are unfortunately on the rise in Sydney, with ephedrine becoming a growing problem in the community.

“ABF officers have once again displayed their professionalism and expertise in detecting and stopping these harmful substances from crossing the border,” Acting Commander Pieper said.

“This seizure sends a clear message to potential drug importers that our officers will not only intercept drugs at our borders, we will actively pursue, arrest and seek to prosecute people facilitating the illicit drug industry, which causes serious harm to our community.”

The woman will reappear in court on 28 September 2016.

*Broadcast quality footage of the concealment is avaibale on the newsroom.

Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244

Two Victorian men arrested following investigation into importation of border controlled drugs

Joint media release with the Australian Federal Police and Victorian Police

07-09-2016 –

Task Force Icarus officers with the assistance of the Warrnambool Divisional Response Unit arrested two men following a joint agency investigation into the importation of border controlled drugs through the international air mail stream.

Investigators executed a search warrant in Terang, Victoria on Tuesday 6 September and arrested a 21-year-old Terang man.

The 21-year-old was charged with three counts of importing a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.2 of the

Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and one count of importing border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

He was bailed to appear at the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on 28 November, 2016. The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years imprisonment.

A 19-year-old, also from Terang, was arrested in Warrnambool and interviewed in relation to allegedly trafficking a drug of dependence. The man was released pending further enquiries.

Taskforce Icarus officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police, and Australian Border Force (ABF) commenced a joint agency operation in August 2016 after ABF officers identified a number of suspicious importations which led to the execution of the warrant and arrests.

Task Force Icarus is a joint agency initiative that targets those who seek to use the international mail and air cargo systems for criminal activity.

Australia’s law enforcement agencies need the community’s ongoing assistance to minimise the harm caused by drugs, and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit at confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Media enquiries

DIBP Media: (02) 6264 2244
Victoria Police Media: (03) 9247 5205
AFP Media: (02) 6131 6333

ABF seizes more than one million cigarettes

01-09-2016 –

An ABF operation has resulted in investigators charging a 26-year-old man with illegally importing more than one million cigarettes, with a potential street value of up to $1.2 million and up to $603,000 in duty evaded.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers targeted 17 pallets that arrived from Hong Kong for inspection on 15 August 2016. The boxes, labelled as porcelain tiles, contained more than one million sticks of ‘Brass’ brand cigarettes.

A container was delivered to a self-storage unit in Greenacre on 22 August. Shortly after, ABF investigators arrested the man and charged him with smuggling tobacco under section 233BABAD of the Customs Act 1901.

On 31 August 2016, ABF investigators executed warrants on several residences in Greenacre and Belmore with the assistance of NSW Police Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad officers. Following the execution of these warrants, about 100 steroid tablets were seized as well as six firearms for licensing breaches.

The 26-year-old was granted conditional bail and will face Bankstown Local Court on 7 September 2016.

ABF Commander Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Anthony Seebach, said this operation and subsequent arrest is another clear example of the tireless work ABF officers undertake to ensure those responsible for tobacco smuggling, which denies the Commonwealth important revenue, are stopped.

“This operation reinforces our message that the ABF will actively investigate and charge people who attempt to smuggle illicit tobacco across the border,” Commander Seebach said.

“We will continue to prevent, deter, detect and disrupt those who attempt to import illicit tobacco into Australia.”

Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244

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