Brazilian couple arrested for drug trafficking in Australia

Monday, 16 of May 2016
By Bruna Corralo 

 A Brazilian couple from Criciúma, Santa Catarina, was charged with importing approximately six kilograms of cocaine in their suitcases in Sydney. According to the Australian government announced in a statement, the he maximum penalty for this crime is life imprisonment.

On April 21, the couple, who lives in Florianópolis, arrived at Sydney International Airport from Chile. The man, 30, and his wife, a young woman of 24, were selected for baggage examination, the statement of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection Australian Government. During this examination, officers found about three kilograms of cocaine hidden in the lining of each bag, one taken by man and the other by the young. Then the Australian Federal Police was triggered.

The couple presented to Justice Sydney on 22 April. The two were charged for importing a considered amount of commercial drug use. This means that the Australian government found that the cocaine would be sold by the couple.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it does not comment on cases of prisoners Brazilians abroad.

After a prison of another Brazilian in the week before the Criciuma couple, the acting regional commander of ABF, Matthew O'Connor, had already declared that the enforcement agencies will continue to identify and dismantle the illegal transport of drugs into Australia. "We are willing to protect the Australian community of illegal and dangerous drugs crossing our borders," he said. "Who try (enter Australia with drugs) will be arrested and prosecuted," he said.

The Consulate said that the number of Brazilian prisoners in the country for drug trafficking is growing up. In 2015, another case has drawn attention in the region. In February of that year, two criciumenses young people were also arrested in Australia for the same crime. They were found with them at least five kilograms of cocaine.

The Consulate has duty to provide assistance to ensure that they have access to due process, as defence lawyer, translator and a good treatment in prison. However, the Consulate cannot interfere with the police investigation or the judicial process. In addition, information about specific processes, such as the criciumense couple are reported only to the family.

The Official note:

 Couple charged with importing 6kg of cocaine

Joint media release

A 30-year-old Brazilian man and a 24-year-old Brazilian woman appeared in Sydney Central Local Court today (22 April 2016) charged with importing approximately six kilograms of cocaine in their suitcases.

On 21 April 2016, the man and woman were selected for a baggage examination by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers upon their arrival at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Chile.

During the examination, the ABF officers located approximately three kilograms of cocaine concealed in the lining of each passenger’s suitcase and referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The man and woman were charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

http://newsroom.border.gov.au/channels/Drugs-and-steroids/releases/couple-charged-with-importing-6kg-of-cocaine