<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335979</docID> <postdate>2024-12-30 11:03:53</postdate> <headline>Remote airstrip used in spycraft cocaine smuggling plot</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-335980" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20230602001806195401-original-resized-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>Police seized about 200kg of cocaine, in single one-kilogram blocks, from a Perth hotel room. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Rex Martinich</strong> in Perth</span></p> <p><strong>Two men are accused of trafficking 200kg of cocaine into Australia in a clandestine plot involving a small aircraft, a remote airstrip and night-vision goggles.</strong></p> <p>Australian Federal Police arrested a Victorian man, 48, and a South African national, 44, in Perth's CBD at 6pm on Saturday following an investigation that began in October.</p> <p>Both men have been charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and face a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment if convicted.</p> <p>Police searched the Victorian man's Perth hotel room and allegedly found about 200kg of cocaine, in single one-kilogram blocks, in six suitcases, as well as electronic devices, night-vision goggles and an aircraft-band VHF radio.</p> <p>They then searched the South African man's hotel room, allegedly seizing four empty suitcases, aviation navigational equipment, a hardware cryptocurrency wallet, and other electronic devices.</p> <p>Police allege the Victorian man was seen hiring a utility vehicle in Perth on Boxing Day and loading it with multiple suitcases and jerry cans.</p> <p>The South African man allegedly met a small aircraft at the Overlander Airstrip, about 700km north of Perth, the next day.</p> <p>Police allege the pair met in Perth on Saturday and purchased more suitcases, before discarding their luggage and jerry cans in a shopping centre rubbish bin a few hours later.</p> <p>Investigators allegedly found a receipt for the suitcases in the Victorian man's hotel room.</p> <p>AFP Inspector Chris Colley said the charges highlighted the lengths criminals would go to in their efforts to smuggle illicit drugs into and across Australia.</p> <p>"The AFP has prevented these individuals - and an alleged organised crime syndicate that is likely responsible for this endeavour - from profiting from the distribution of this dangerous drug into and across WA," Insp Colley said.</p> <p>The Victorian man has also been charged with possessing a controlled drug in the form of cocaine and failing to provide police access to an electronic device.</p> <p>Federal police are working to identify the link between the seized cocaine and the small aircraft that arrived at the Overlander Airstrip.</p> </body>