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A Brisbane man has faced court accused of intending to cross illegally into Papua New Guinea armed with two suitcases containing dangerous drugs.
The 55-year-old from Newstead was arrested last Tuesday on Saibai Island by Australian Border Force officers.
Police say he had two suitcases and told them he was intending to travel to PNG, which is about five kilometres from the island.
It’s alleged prescription drugs, steroids, growth hormones and drug paraphernalia were found inside the suitcases.
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The man faced Thursday Island court on Friday charged with seven counts of possession of a dangerous drug and five counts of possession of schedule four medicines.
He was also charged with three counts of fraud relating to money obtained from a Mackay gym in 2018.
Australian Border Force Commander Colin Drysdale said Queensland Police and the Torres Strait Patrol Group were involved in the joint-agency response.
“The ABF’s increased posture and vigilance in the Torres Strait is primarily focused on preventing COVID-19 entering vulnerable communities,” he said.
“However, as this incident highlights, our officers are also alert to potential attempts to illegally circumvent border controls when departing Australia.”
The man has been remanded in custody to appear in court again in Brisbane in June.
Meantime, a Lower Daintree man has been charged with producing hydroponic cannabis after firefighters were called to extinguish a fire at his home.
Police allege several hydroponic systems were found in separate bedrooms and the fire is alleged to have been caused by the network of power boards and electrical cords used to set up the systems.
The 59-year-old has been charged with one count each of producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing property having been used in the connection with the commission of a drug offence.
He’s due to appear in the Mossman Magistrates Court in early January.
Main points
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Police say a man arrested on Saibai Island had two suitcases containing a range of dangerous drugs
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The man allegedly told officers he was travelling to neighbouring Papua New Guinea
- Fire allegedly caused by a hydroponic set-up has led to drugs charges against a Lower Daintree man
