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Post by Cullyn Of Cerrmor on Jan 10, 2009 21:30:04 GMT 9.5
Ten kilos of cocaine seized in Sydney
January 10, 2009 - 12:21PM
A 56-year-old Canadian man will face a Sydney court on Saturday charged with attempting to smuggle into Australia 10kg of cocaine, with a street value of $2.45 million, using forklift batteries.
Customs officers made the discovery on December 22, 2008, after inspecting a container with a forklift inside that arrived at Sydney's Port Botany facility.
An X-ray of the forklift revealed "anomalies" within the battery unit, Australian Customs said.
A white powder which tested positive for cocaine was found inside the 24 battery cells.
Police officers were called in to investigate, and the man was located at a Bankstown hotel.
The stash was destined for an address in Moorebank, New South Wales.
"The drugs seized as a result of this operation have an approximate street value of more than $2.45 million," AFP National Border Manager Tim Morris said in a statement.
Both customs and the federal police say the seizure should send a strong message to others thinking about importing illegal drugs.
"No matter how sophisticated the concealment, their shipments will be intercepted," Customs National Manager of Cargo Operations Catherine Asbridge said.
The offender will face Parramatta Local Court on Saturday charged with importing and attempting to possess drugs.
© 2009 AAP
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