A Gold Coast man has been charged after allegedly using his job as a truck driver to distribute drugs.
The 56-year-old fronted Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday on a string of drugs charges following a major National Anti-Gangs Squad investigation.
The probe began in November last year when Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 1kg of cocaine in an air cargo consignment in Sydney, sent from the Philippines.
It led authorities to raid the man’s Gold Coast apartment on Tuesday, where they allegedly uncovered $6,000 in cash, as well as 1kg of methamphetamine and 300 grams of cocaine.
The Surfers Paradise man is facing a range of charges including importing and exporting a marketable quantity of a border controlled drugs, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
The man was granted bail yesterday and is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court again on 3 July.
PHOTO: Supplied
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said disrupting the supply of illicit drugs, including cocaine, was vital to combatting organised crime and reducing the harm to at-risk Australians.
“The demand for cocaine in Australia is at the forefront of our battle with organised crime; criminal syndicates see a big dollar sign over Australia and try to profit from that demand,” he said.
“As a community, we need to address the risks associated with illicit drug use; reduce the harm, demand and ultimately the profit going back to organised crime.”
“The AFP works closely with its law enforcement partners to identify these criminal groups and bring them to justice.”
Police say investigations are continuing into the alleged importation of the drugs, with further arrests not ruled out.
