Media Release
Couple jailed in WA over 56kg cocaine import plot
This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Department of Home Affairs
Editor’s note: Footage and images available via Hightail
A married couple has been sentenced to imprisonment today (17 July, 2025) for their roles in a failed 2022 plot to import and distribute 56kg of cocaine from Switzerland, hidden in car tyres.
The Perth District Court sentenced a Nollamara man, now 60, and his wife, now 52, to nine years’ imprisonment each, with a non-parole period of four-and-a-half years.
The duo was found guilty in November, 2024, after a four-week jury trial in the Perth District Court, with each convicted of the attempted possession of a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported cocaine, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). They have been in custody since the verdict.
It comes after a Sydney father and son were sentenced to imprisonment in April 2025 for their roles in the plot to import the cocaine into Western Australia, hidden in four car tyres imported by air cargo.
Authorities launched Operation Dommeldange in June, 2022, when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at the Perth cargo facility found packages of white powder stuffed behind the rims of the performance wheels.
The consignment was transferred to the AFP and forensic specialists established there were 56 packages of white powder, which contained 37.67kg of pure cocaine.
The drugs were replaced with an inert substance before the tyres were delivered to a Nollamara home on 5 July, 2022.
The next day the Nollamara couple used a variety of tools and knives to cut apart the car tyres and access the black plastic-wrapped packages inside.
The father and son flew in from Sydney that week, collected the packages from the Nollamara home and then spent time at a hotel and a shopping centre. They opened at least one of the plastic-wrapped blocks before dumping them all in a skip bin outside the shopping centre.
The AFP, with the assistance of ABF, arrested the pair nearby.
Investigators then executed a search warrant at the Nollamara home and arrested the married couple.
AFP acting Superintendent Chris Colley said drug traffickers were motivated by greed and did not care about the harm they caused to Australian communities.
“Anyone involved in the illicit drug trade – whether they’re funding and organising the importations, or moving drugs or money – contribute to the harm and exploitation of the community,” a/Supt Colley said.
“Each of the people sentenced will spend multiple years in custody for their roles in trying to smuggle this harmful substance into our communities.
“This amount of cocaine had the potential to be sold as about 280,000 individual street deals of 0.2 grams and put about $18.2 million in the pockets of criminals.
“The AFP is working tirelessly with ABF and other partners to protect Australians and ensure criminal syndicates cannot profit at the expense of our communities.”
ABF acting Superintendent Carmen Lee said the skills and vigilance of ABF officers at the border ensured this dangerous cargo was stopped before it could reach Australian streets.
“This outcome should act as a warning to anyone considering drug trafficking. Do not be blinded by greed, you will be found out and face serious jail time,” a/Supt Lee said.
“Effective border control relies on strong partnerships, and this result exemplifies the partnership of ABF’s detection work at the border and AFP’s investigative work post-border.”
Note to media:
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at www.counsellingonline.org.au.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to www.turningpoint.org.au.
