Man, 50, jailed over $47million worth of cocaine imported into Australia by a Mexican drug cartel
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Man, 50, is jailed over importation of $47million worth of cocaine into Australia hidden inside aluminium ingots by a Mexican drug cartel
- 50-year old Sydney man jailed for importing more than $47 million of cocaine
- The Potts point man was jailed for 9 years, with a non-parole period of 5 years
- Police say there is a high demand for cocaine in Australia
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A man has been jailed after police busted a Mexican drug cartel trying to import a 188kg cocaine shipment into Australia.
The 50-year-old Sydney man was sentenced to nine years in prison, with a non-parole period of five years, at Downing Centre District Court on Friday.
The man from Picnic Point was already in prison for an unrelated crime at the time he was charged over the attempted cocaine shipment.
Last year he was served with a court attendance notice for his role in importing the cocaine which had an estimated street value of $47million.
A 50-year old Sydney man has been jailed over the attempted importation of 188kilograms of cocaine from a Mexican drug cartel
The Picnic Point man (right) was observed by police moving hundreds of aluminium ingots – attempting to access the cocaine he believed was hidden inside
Police investigating the shipment observed the man moving hundreds of aluminium ingots – attempting to access the cocaine he believed was hidden inside.
The man pleaded guilty on April 29 to various drug charges.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Luke Wilson said the popularity of cocaine makes the country a perfect target for organised crime syndicates.
‘The high demand for cocaine in Australia is at the forefront of our battle with organised crime syndicates; they see that big dollar sign over Australia and know the profit they can make is substantially more than any other target market,’ Det Wilson said.
The man pleaded guilty on April 29 to various drug charges and was sentenced on Friday to nine years in prison, with a non-parole period of five years
Police said the shipment, along with most of the cocaine found in Australia, originated from Colombia and various other parts of South America.
NSW Police Force Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said police continue to closely monitor cocaine border detections and the drug’s increased recreational use in Australia.
‘Like this seizure, forensic drug profiling of cocaine found here in Australia continues to show most originates from Colombia and other areas of South America,’ Det Supt Watson said.
‘The illicit cultivation of coca bush in these areas significantly impact upon local indigenous communities and nearly half is carried out in areas with special environmental protection status.
‘The reality is that by partaking in both the importation or recreational use of cocaine here and overseas, you are supporting the proliferation of serious crime around the world and the devastation of other people’s lives,’ he said.
NSW Police Force Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said police continue to closely monitor cocaine border detections and the drug’s increased recreational use in Australia