Australian Border Force intercepted five Xerox printers containing 22.4 kg (49.4 lbs) of cocaine in Melbourne on April 30, 2017. The drugs were concealed in 10 packages hidden within the printers' paper trays, marking a sophisticated smuggling attempt [1, 2].
Authorities replaced the cocaine with substitute material and tracked the printers to a factory in Airport West, Victoria. The operation exposed a coordinated effort to import a large quantity of border-controlled drugs [1, 2].
Four men were arrested in May 2017 for attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine. Three of the men were later convicted while the fourth was found not guilty [1, 2].
Sentences for the convicted men span from 9 to 10 years’ imprisonment. One man was sentenced in 2022 to 10 years with 6.5 years non-parole, another in 2025 to 10 years with 5.5 years non-parole, and the third—aged 47—received 9 years with 4.5 years non-parole on May 8, 2026 [1, 2].
The cocaine’s estimated street value ranged between 9.3 million and 12.4 million AUD (6.7 million to 9 million USD) [1, 2].
AFP acting commander Simone Butcher said that the case demonstrates advanced attempts by criminal groups to smuggle drugs into Australia. She added, "The AFP, as well as our domestic and international partners, are steadfast in our mission to protect the community by disrupting and dismantling organized crime groups and their efforts to profit off the misery caused in our community" [1].
