LifestyleIrish man caught with Kinder egg capsules of cocaine in stomach at Melbourne airport

Irish man caught with Kinder egg capsules of cocaine in stomach at Melbourne airport

The 28-year-old tried to smuggle cocaine.
The 28-year-old tried to smuggle cocaine.
Images source: © Australian Federal Police

10:15 AM EST, January 22, 2024

After flying into Melbourne from the Middle East, the Australian Border Force (ABF) singled out the man for a luggage inspection. His suitcase was reported to test positive for cocaine, prompting the officers to scrutinize him more closely. Consequently, the Irish individual was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital for a CT scan.

Cocaine found in toy containers in man's stomach

As stated, the 28-year-old man discharged six yellow plastic capsules, which collectively contained approximately 4.2 ounces of cocaine. The confiscated drugs have a street value of about 36,000 Australian dollars (about $27,000).

Australian Federal Police detective Chris Salmon expressed condemnation of this method of drug smuggling. - Smuggling drugs inside one's body is imprudent. It invites potential fatal overdosing or irreversible internal organ damage, he advised.

- It is not worth risking your health by attempting to internally transport drugs into our country as ABF officers are highly trained in detection and will ensure that you are stopped at the border - added Ian Beasant from the Australian Border Force (ABF).

The Irish man faces up to 25 years of imprisonment for attempting to smuggle cocaine. Currently, he is held in detention.

The ingenuity of smugglers remains unbounded

Smugglers attempt to transport not only drugs, which they stow beneath suitcase linings, but also a variety of less suspected items or even animals. Some instances include donkey genitals, parrots and various other birds, ivory bones, fragments of coral reef, and python skins.

A 28-year-old smuggled cocaine in toy containers.
A 28-year-old smuggled cocaine in toy containers.© Australian Federal Police