Picture shows 'disgusting' reality of international drug trafficking
A picture shared online by the Australian Federal Police highlights the sad and “disgusting” reality of those involved in international drug trafficking.
The image depicts 11 small black parcels of heroin bundled up in such a way that they can be swallowed and deposited inside the body of a human drug mule.
“These are just some of the 16 heroin-filled pellets expelled by a 35-year-old internal courier,” police said.
The man arrived at Avalon Airport near Melbourne on a flight from Malaysia recently and was suspected of having drugs in his body, after Border Force officials found two parcels in his bag.
The Malaysian man was taken to hospital where police found roughly 700 grams of a substance containing heroin stored inside him.
“This is the reality of internal drug trafficking, it starts on the streets and ends with a big ole mess in a hospital bathroom. It’s not only disgusting, it’s life-threatening – for both couriers AND drug users,” the AFP said.
It’s a common technique employed by criminal syndicates to use internal couriers, who are often vulnerable people, to transport large quantities of illegal drugs inside their body.
The illegal contraband is tied up in small packages but if the seal breaks and the drugs leak out, the courier will likely die without immediate medical attention.
“They are comfortable sending couriers out knowing they could die if something goes wrong,” the AFP wrote.
“Do you want to be part of this evil trade?”
The post has attracted nearly 1000 comments since being posted on Friday morning, with many Australians expressing disgust at the notion.
AFP Acting Commander Peter Bodel, Manager Organised Crime, said the AFP remains vigilant about combating all facets of the drug trade.
“Those that seek to import drugs, be it via an internal courier or any other method, remain firmly in our sights,” he said.
The man appeared before court on June 26 and was remanded into custody until his next court appearance before Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 17.
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