Cocaine posted in letters to Australia

SYDNEY - Cocaine worth almost half a million dollars was posted into Australia in 39 different envelopes, Australian Federal Police (AFP) say.

A 41-year-old Nigerian national and a 19-year-old US citizen were arrested today at Petersham, in Sydney's inner west, over their alleged involvement in the importation.

The pair had gone to Bondi Beach post office to collect about 39 envelopes, posted from America, which contained about 2.5kg of cocaine with a street value of up to $437,000, ($623,573) the AFP said in a statement.

Both men were charged with attempting to possess a prohibited import.

They were refused bail in Central Local Court today and remanded in custody to appear before the same court on October 19.

The AFP said it was alerted to the alleged importation by customs officials on August 30.

- AAP