A 21-year-old Darwin man has had his Christmas plans spoiled following his arrest by the Australian Border Force (ABF) last week.
The man first came to attention of the ABF when officers seized 200g of MDMA through the international mail in Sydney on 21 November. The airmail parcel from the Netherlands was addressed to the man’s Northern Territory address.
The drugs were concealed in a white foil bag and black plastic bag within an envelope and the matter was referred to ABF Investigators in Darwin for further action.
On December 7, with support from Australian Federal Police (AFP), a managed delivery of a fully substituted parcel took place at the address in Nightcliff, NT. As a result, a search warrant was swiftly executed and the man was arrested for Attempt Possess a Marketable Quantity of a Border Controlled Drug and Import a Marketable Quantity of a Border Controlled Drug, both offences under the Customs Act.
ABF Chief Superintendent Tracie Griffin said that her officers were more alert than ever to illegal importation attempts, particularly in the lead up to Christmas.
“Our officers are working tirelessly through the holiday period to keep Northern Territorians safe. Our message is very simple – do not try to illegally import dangerous drugs. If you do, you will be caught and face the consequences,” Chief Superintendent Griffin said.
“This young man now faces what I imagine is a very unwelcome Christmas present – with a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment for importation of a marketable quantity of MDMA.”
The man appeared before Darwin Local Court on 14 December 2023 and will return on 19 March 2024.
People in the community can also report suspicious border-related activity at any time through Border Watch. Reports can be made anonymously at www.borderwatch.gov.au
