Key Points
- Birdavinder Singh Virk was charged with allegedly importing 1.6 kg of morphine found in international mail from India.
- Virk was granted bail on 21 August, with the next court date set for 9 October.
Birdavinder Singh Virk, 40, was arrested and charged under section 307.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1994 (Cth).
Speaking with SBS Punjabi, a representative from the Adelaide Local Courts shared that the case was heard on 21 August before Justice McNamara, where Virk was granted bail and the matter adjourned until 9 October.
The investigation began in July earlier this year, after ABF officers made two detections of morphine, totalling 1.6kg, in international mail sent from India to Sydney addressed to the Northern Territory (NT).
The contents were described as skincare and healthcare items, initiating further investigation.
The ABF said that officers from the ABF and NT Police located and seized material of evidentiary value including mobile phones on 30 July, after executing a search warrant at an Alice Springs address.
Virk was then charged for allegedly importing border-controlled drugs, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
ABF Chief Superintendent Tracie Griffin said the ABF was committed to stopping the flow of harmful drugs at the border.
“Whether these illicit drugs come in through our seaports, airports or in the international mail system, our officers will find them, regardless of how creatively the drugs are concealed," Chief Superintendent Griffin said.
