Foiled plot tried to sneak 49 lbs of cocaine into Australia via Xerox printers

In a bizarre twist to drug smuggling tactics, four Australian men attempted to use Xerox printers as a cover for trafficking a substantial amount of cocaine into Australia. Recent disclosures from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) have revealed that three of the men received sentences for their involvement in this scheme, which sought to transport 22.4 kilograms (approximately 49.4 pounds) of the illegal substance. This unusual case dates back to 2017 when the authorities intercepted the printers in Melbourne on April 30. Upon examination, they discovered ten packages of compressed white powder cleverly hidden within the paper trays of the devices. Initial tests confirmed that the substance was indeed cocaine, valued between 9.3 million and 12.4 million AUD (approximately $6.7 million to over $9 million). Following the discovery, law enforcement officials replaced the drugs with an unmarked alternative and redirected the printers to their intended destination—a factory in Airport West, Victoria. According to reports, tracking devices were also placed in the printers to monitor the situation. In May 2017, the AFP arrested the four men as they attempted to reclaim their contraband. They were collectively charged with trying to possess a commercial quantity of a controlled substance. This month, one man was sentenced to nine years in prison with a non-parole period of four-and-a-half years, while two others had previously received sentences of ten years each, with non-parole periods set at five-and-a-half and six-and-a-half years, respectively. The fourth individual was acquitted of all charges. This incident underscores the lengths to which organized crime groups will go to smuggle illegal narcotics into Australia, a point emphasized by AFP's acting commander, Simone Butcher. She reaffirmed the commitment of the AFP and its partners, both domestic and international, to combat organized crime and safeguard communities from the harms inflicted by such illicit activities.