High-flying Brisbane lawyer Michael Bosscher accused of trying to move 120kg of cocaine in van loaded with frozen chickens – on top of earlier money laundering charges
A former high-ranking lawyer has been accused of smuggling more than 120kg of cocaine disguised as frozen chicken in the back of a van.
Australian Federal Police allege Michael Bosscher, 55, attempted to transport the drugs from Melbourne to Sydney in August 2022.
He appeared by telephone in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday where he was charged with trafficking in commercial quantities of controlled drugs.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Bosscher is also accused of simultaneously playing a major role in an alleged multi-million dollar money laundering syndicate in another case pending in court.
Former high-flying Queensland lawyer Michael Bosscher (pictured) has been accused of transporting 120kg of cocaine from Melbourne to Sydney disguised as frozen chicken
Bosscher’s lawyer Adam Guest, of Guest Lawyers, requested that the complaint be joined with other related matters Courier mail reports.
Magistrate Peter Saggers adjourned the case until May 17, leaving Bosscher in custody.
He was one of two men arrested and charged by the AFP in October 2022 for their alleged involvement in a $4.5 million money laundering syndicate.
Raids at the syndicate reportedly uncovered $70,000 in cash from two safes hidden under stairs and a cash register at a property in the Brisbane suburb of Bardon, while $160,000 cash was seized from a safe in Helensvale on the Gold Coast.
Bosscher was charged with conspiracy to traffic in the proceeds of common crime and at the time of the trafficking the value of the money or property was $1,000,000 or more.
The cocaine was reportedly discovered in the back of a van disguised as frozen chicken (pictured)
Bosscher is also accused of simultaneously playing a major role in an alleged multi-million dollar money laundering syndicate (photo: Bosscher arrested in 2022)
His law firm Bosscher Lawyers had previously described Bosscher as one of Australia’s most experienced criminal law practitioners.
He became a lawyer in 1993 and has since represented serial killers, rapists and drug lords.
“Michael has worked exclusively in criminal law for over a quarter of a century,” according to the firm’s website.
‘Michael has appeared in some of Australia’s most famous criminal justice cases over the past 25 years and is also a published author on criminal justice topics.
‘His reputation for his knowledge and experience in this area is nationally recognized and he provides direct advice not only to clients, but also to educational institutions, sporting organizations and law reform stakeholders.’