A 28-year-old Adelaide man has been awarded a punishment to serve three years and nine months in jail for attempting to import 2.35kg of pseudoephedrine powder hidden in Indian cookware.
The man pleaded guilty to importing nearly five kilos of pseudoephedrine which is a precursor to methamphetamine (Meth).
Her Honour Judge Davison, of the District Court, said in her judgement:
“As you pleaded guilty so early in the proceedings, I am giving you a reduction of 20% to reflect your remorse and other features, including facilitating the course of justice. The sentences are therefore three years, nine months and 19 days. I direct that the sentences be served concurrently.”
On 4 and 6 July 2022, Australian Border Force (ABF) staff detected anomalies in two parcels at the International Mail Centre in Melbourne Airport.
The two packages from India contained kitchen items for delivery to a person at Christie Downs in South Australia.
ABF officers tested a white crystalline substance concealed in the kitchen items, which came back positive for pure pseudoephedrine.
The total weight in the second parcel was 3027.7 g containing 2479.7 g of pure pseudoephedrine. This parcel had a potential yield of 1885 g of methylamphetamine, with a potential street value of between $942,500 and $1,319,500 if sold as points on the street.
On 18 July 2022, undercover ABF officers made a controlled delivery of both parcels to the nominated address.
It is reported that the man approached the undercover officer who was posing as a delivery driver and asked him if he had two parcels to deliver.
The man signed for the delivery of the packages and then put them into his car and drove to Aldinga Beach where the parcels remained in the vehicle in the driveway of a house.
ABF officers attended that address and executed a search warrant.
ABF Inspector Regional Investigations South Australia, Mark Bateman said in a statement:
“Methamphetamine is doing an unbelievable amount of harm to the community and our officers remain committed to detecting these illicit drugs at the border and prosecuting those who import them into the country.”
The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $1.1 million.
Members of the community who suspect suspicious border-related activity can report it anonymously 24/7 through the Border Watch portal.
