An Australian-Afghan dual citizen has faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court after allegedly attempting to smuggle approximately 500 grams of heroin into the country in the handle of his suitcase.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Simon Lalic said the case highlighted the importance of cooperation between agencies in disrupting drug trafficking networks.
“The AFP and its partners are committed to disrupting all levels of the drug trade and stopping anyone trying to profit at the expense of our community,” he said.
“Criminals are motivated by greed. They have no regard for the significant harmful impacts these illicit drugs have on our community.”
The 47-year-old man was targeted for a full baggage examination by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers upon arrival at Adelaide Airport on 29 July, 2025. Using intelligence-led screening and officer intuition, the ABF officers allegedly discovered a suspicious black fluid seeping from the handle of his luggage.
A presumptive test returned a positive result for heroin, with authorities removing around half a kilogram of the illicit drug from the suitcase.
ABF Superintendent Jody Griswood commended the frontline officers for their vigilance.
“ABF officers at the border are highly trained, experienced and alert. They know exactly what to look for when selecting travellers and their baggage for further examination,” she said.
“This isn’t an isolated case and it’s not based on luck. These successes happen across our airports every week and this is just one example of the outstanding work ABF officers do every day to protect our borders and our communities.”
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged the man with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled substance, an offence under section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment. He is expected to reappear in court on 23 September, 2025.
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