A 28-year-old man from California has been charged after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly found more than 15kg of cocaine hidden in his suitcase at Melbourne Airport on Sunday, 27 April 2025.
The man, who had flown in from San Francisco, appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 28 April, where he faced serious drug importation charges following the airport seizure.
Authorities say a search of his black suitcase revealed 12 vacuum-sealed packages weighing a total of 15.3 kilograms, which later tested positive for cocaine. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) estimate the drugs had a street value of $4.8 million—equivalent to around 750,000 individual street deals.
The man was charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, both of which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
AFP Commander Raegan Stewart said the operation underscored the dangers of the drug trade.
“Criminals are motivated by greed and will use any means to import harmful drugs into Australia to make a profit, at the expense of Australians and their health,” Commander Stewart said.
She noted that cocaine-related harm is on the rise, with 985 hospitalisations reported in 2022–23, placing increasing strain on Australia’s health system.
ABF Acting Superintendent Katrina Vernuccio reinforced the commitment of border authorities to disrupting organised crime networks.
“Organised crime will look to any method available to them in order to smuggle illicit drugs and contraband into Australia,” she said.
“These criminal pursuits carry severe penalties, and our ABF officers are ready to swiftly intercept and apprehend anyone looking to harm our community.”
The case remains under investigation, with authorities continuing efforts to dismantle international drug trafficking operations.
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