Media Release
Sydney man charged over the alleged importation of 22kg of cocaine from South Africa
This is a joint media release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor’s note: Vision of the man’s arrest and images of the suitcases are available via Hightail.
A Sydney man is expected to appear before NSW Bail Division Court today (14 November, 2025), charged over the importation of 22kg of cocaine into Australia from South Africa hidden inside suitcases.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the Liverpool man, 25, for a baggage examination after he disembarked a flight from Johannesburg via Doha, Qatar to Sydney.
ABF officers located 22 packages wrapped in plastic inside the suitcases. The packages contained a white powder and presumptive testing of the substance returned a positive result for cocaine.
The ABF referred the matter to the AFP, who seized the packages and charged the man with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
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.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
