Cruise Ship Passenger Arrested For Smuggling 10kg Of Cocaine Into Sydney

A Brazilian national has been arrested and charged after authorities found around 10 kg of cocaine hidden in his cruise ship cabin up to arrival in Sydney.

The 48 year old man is facing serious drug importation charges and could face life in prison if convicted.

The cruise ship, which traveled from Argentina, arrived at Sydney Harbour in Saturday (March 15, 2025). Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted a search and found 28 packages of cocaine concealed in the ceiling cavity of the man’s cabin.

Additional body packing material, commonly used by drug traffickers, was also found in the ceiling and inside a wardrobe.

After testing the contents of the packages, authorities confirmed the presence of cocaine. The ABF then notified the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who took over the investigation.

The AFP examined the man’s mobile phone and found further evidence linked to drug trafficking. As a result, he has been charged with:

Importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug under section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug under section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth).

Both charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The accused was scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on March 17, 2025.

AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy stated that drug traffickers focus only on profit and disregard the harm caused by illicit substances.

She said that the cocaine seized in this case could have been distributed as 10,000 individual street deals, with an estimated value of $3 million.

Cressy also discussed the health risks of cocaine use, citing data from 2022-23 that recorded 985 hospitalisations related to the drug, averaging more than two cases per day.

ABF Superintendent Matt O’Connor said that criminal syndicates often attempt to smuggle drugs during the cruise season. He said that officers remain alert and work around the clock with partner agencies to monitor Australia’s entry points.

Connor added that ABF officers process thousands of passengers and crew members on each international cruise ship and are always prepared to act against potential threats.

Reference: AFP

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