Customs officers in airport drug sting - The Australian

EIGHT people, including three law enforcement officers involved as Customs officials, have been arrested for a conspiracy to allow drugs through Sydney International Airport.

Five worked as couriers, while three were employed as Commonwealth officials allowing drugs to pass through customs.

More Customs officers have been accused of receiving bribes in exchange for allowing drugs through Sydney International Airport, and the police have said more arrests are likely.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have this morning released a statement revealing they have arrested a Customs official for his alleged involvement in facilitating the importation of narcotics into Australia.

The arrest, which occurred on Monday, is a result of a major two-year joint investigation involving the AFP, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. The investigation followed the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service notifying ACLEI of suspected corrupt conduct.

The 28-year-old Burwood man appeared in court on Tuesday, where it was alleged that he facilitated two importations of approximately 10 kilograms of pseudoephedrine in June 2009 and May 2010 through Sydney Airport.

Four search warrants were executed across Sydney on Monday, where the man was arrested.

A 22-year-old North Sydney woman and a 27-year-old Abbotsford woman were also arrested for their role as alleged drug couriers relating to the investigation. The two women have been charged with drug importation offences.

The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years imprisonment.

The Abbotsford woman has been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor, namely pseudoephedrine.

A further arrest of a 28-year-old Summer Hill man for conspiracy to import drugs in relation to this investigation occurred in October this year. This matter is also currently before the court.

"Further arrests have not been ruled out. As this arrest relates to an ongoing investigation, the AFP and ACLEI will not be providing further comment," they said in a statement.