The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have charged a 77-year-old Kiwi man after he allegedly attempted to smuggle 2kg of heroin in the lining of his suitcase.
On Wednesday, Australian Border Force (ABF) officials examined the elderly man's luggage after arriving in Melbourne from Thailand.
But despite the man's stealthy attempts, ABF officers allegedly found white powder in the lining of his suitcase. The powder subsequently returned a "presumptive positive result for heroin".
AFP said about 2kg of heroin was removed from the man's suitcase.
"The AFP charged the man with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled substance, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)."
The 77-year-old New Zealander faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody. The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Amanda Glover said the organisation works closely with law enforcement partners to intercept illicit drugs that would have otherwise reached the streets.
"Drug traffickers prey on our community, causing drug-related crime and the associated health and social costs," she said.
"Every detection of drugs at the border keeps our community safer and ensures that drug traffickers cannot reap profits by preying on Australians."
ABF Superintendent Kelly-anne Parish said border officers are "always on alert" to detect and stop illicit drugs from entering Australia.
"Criminals will try to hide illicit drugs in a variety of ways, however no matter the amount of drugs that are hidden, big or small, our officers have the technology and expertise to find them," she said.
"The ABF and AFP work hard to protect the Australian community from the scourge of drugs and ensure airports are not part of the illicit supply chain."
