A 39 year-old Nigerian national has been sentenced to nine years and nine months imprisonment with a non-parole period of five years and 10 months after being found guilty of importing methamphetamine and heroin into Australia in 2021.
The sentencing, on Monday 3 June 2024, was the result of an Australian Border Force (ABF) investigation triggered after ABF officers in Adelaide detected and seized three separate parcels the man had arranged to be sent from overseas in November and December 2021.
The first two parcels sent from South Africa were found to have more than 500 grams of methamphetamine concealed in baby clothes and books, while the third parcel sent from Laos was found to contain approximately one kilo of heroin concealed in an amplifier system.
The Mt Gambier resident was arrested in February 2022 after his home and a number of mobile phones located at the property were searched by officers from the ABF and South Australian Police.
Analysis of the phones revealed photo and video evidence of the drug packages as well as screen shots of consignment numbers, and phone calls to the relevant courier company.
He was subsequently charged with three counts of importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, and found guilty by a jury trial at Mt Gambier District Court on 1 November 2023.
ABF Inspector Steve Garden said the ABF was committed to stopping the flow of harmful drugs at the border to help protect the community from the misery they inevitably cause.
“Whether these illicit drugs come in through our seaports, airports or in the international mail system our officers are at the front line of their detection, regardless of how creatively they are concealed,” Inspector Garden said.
“During the course of the investigation we have worked with closely with our partner agencies, Australian Federal Police and South Australian Police to secure a successful prosecution after the original detections.
“This sentencing outcome reflects this outstanding work of everyone involved.”
