A New Zealand man has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. Photo / Australian Border Force
A New Zealand man has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. Photo / Australian Border Force
James Niven Timothy Moa, 21, was charged with importing 20kg of cocaine into Australia.
Moa claimed he thought he was carrying “cigarettes and vapes” after an anonymous person funded his US trip.
Moa was granted bail with strict conditions, including electronic monitoring and a ban on international travel.
The New Zealand man charged with importing 20kg of cocaine into Australia accepted a free trip to the US from an “anonymous” person and thought he was carrying “cigarettes and vapes” for them in return.
James Niven Timothy Moa, 21, was arrested at Sydney Airport on Saturday after border officials found 22 vacuum-sealed packages of cocaine hidden in his suitcase.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers detected the packets of white powder after selecting Moa – based on “intuition” – for a baggage examination when he arrived in Sydney on a flight from the United States.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) were alerted and Moa was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Australian authorities say the amount of cocaine found could have been sold as almost 100,000 street deals with an estimated value of A$6.5 million ($7.18m).
Moa appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday before Magistrate Greg Grogin.
News.com.au reported that members of Moa’s family were in court for his first appearance – some in tears when they heard the possible penalty for the alleged offending.
It reported that a summary of facts prepared by police was read in court.
It revealed that an “anonymous person” paid for Moa’s flight, passport and visa to the US.
A New Zealand man has been charged with importing 20kg of cocaine into Australia hidden in his luggage. The man was stopped at Sydney Airport on February 1 this year. Photo / Australian Border Force
He then allowed his bag to be swapped at the airport before his return to Australia.
His lawyer told the court Moa had “a mobile phone exchange with an anonymous person on the 1st of February”.
Moa asked that person if it was “just cigarettes and vapes?”
Magistrate Grogin told Moa “alarm bells” should have rung at that stage.
He said the alleged offending was “extremely serious”.
“As reflected in the police facts … he’s jumped on a plane after being offered a free holiday to the US … the alarm bells should have been ringing,” News.com reported the magistrate stating in court.
“And they should have been ringing when the bags were swapped at the airport … and when he was communicating with a person who remained anonymous.”
Magistrate Grogin said bail was “appropriate” because Moa had a “strong family support system”, he was young and had steady employment and before the weekend he was a man of good character with no criminal history.
Australian authorities say the amount of cocaine found could have been sold as almost 100,000 street deals with an estimated value of A$6.5 million ($7.18m). Photo / Australian Border Force
The court provided the Herald with details of Moa’s bail.
“You are to be subject to electronic monitoring … and must be fitted with an electronic monitoring device,” the court record states.
“You are to be at home unless to attend work. You must present yourself at the front door of your residence for a curfew check if told to do so by a police officer during curfew hours.
“You are not to drink alcohol or take any drugs, unless the drugs are prescribed by a doctor.
He is also banned from entering “any international airport or other point of departure from Australia”.
Moa was ordered to surrender his passport and a “bail security agreement” was signed by someone supporting him stating if he fails to comply with conditions that person will forfeit A$100,000.
His bail address is his family’s home in Campbelltown, a suburb on the outskirts of Sydney’s metropolitan area.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Luke Needham spoke about Moa’s arrest and charges at the weekend.
He said the AFP worked closely with ABF and other partners to ensure air travel and airports were not used as a criminal supply chain.
“This man is the third person charged by the AFP in the past fortnight for allegedly trying to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia hidden in luggage,” he said.
“The AFP and its partners are working tirelessly to disrupt all levels of the drug trade and stop anyone who tries to profit at the expense of our community.”
ABF Superintendent Elke West said intuition had played a part in the decision for officers to conduct a random baggage examination.
“Our officers are trained to detect changes in behaviour and body language and rely on their instincts when observing passengers,” said West.
Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz
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