A West Australian man has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of importing cocaine into Perth from Ireland and Northern Ireland in a sophisticated international drug trafficking operation that involved multiple concealed mail shipments.

The Perth CBD resident, aged 35, was sentenced on 25 May 2026 and is the third person to be convicted in connection with the importation of approximately four kilograms of cocaine into Australia.

The drugs were allegedly disguised and hidden inside everyday items, including face masks, curry packets and tomato soup sachets, before being shipped through international postal services.

According to court findings, the illicit parcels were sent from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to an Australian address provided by the man between 6 November 2022 and 1 April 2023. Authorities further indicated that the operation involved at least eight separate mail consignments, each containing concealed quantities of cocaine.

The man was handed a 10-year prison sentence with a non-parole period of six years and six months after pleading guilty to multiple serious offences under the Criminal Code (Cth). These included conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, trafficking cocaine, dealing with money believed to be proceeds of crime, and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

In addition to the importation-related offences, he was also convicted of financial crimes involving the handling of money or property valued at $100,000 or more, which authorities said was linked to suspected proceeds of drug trafficking activities.

The sentencing brings to a close one of the key phases of a broader investigation that has already resulted in the imprisonment of two other individuals connected to the same criminal network.

A Morley man, aged 33 at the time of his arrest, was previously sentenced on 21 December 2023 to 15 months’ imprisonment for dealing with $200,000 suspected to be proceeds of drug-related crime. Separately, a Piara Waters woman, now 39, was sentenced on 14 February 2026 to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and fined $5,000 for dealing with $100,000 in suspected illicit funds.

According to authorities, the case highlights the increasingly complex methods used by transnational criminal groups to smuggle drugs across borders using postal systems and disguised packaging techniques.

Law enforcement officials noted that even relatively small quantities of cocaine entering the country can contribute significantly to community harm, addiction, and associated criminal activity.

AFP Detective Acting Inspector David Blockley stated that the cocaine seized in this matter might have arrived in the country in smaller amounts, but it still had the potential to cause unimaginable harm to the community.

“This investigation is yet another serious warning to those attempting to import harmful, illicit substances into Australia – we will identify you, seize your drugs and bring you to justice.”
David Blockley

The investigation, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), demonstrates the agency’s continued dedication to thwarting foreign drug cartels who target Australia via postal and courier services. To find and destroy the networks that bring illegal drugs into the nation, authorities are still collaborating closely with foreign partners.

Drug Investigation Began After Cocaine Found Hidden in Soup and Curry Packets

The investigation that ultimately led to the conviction of a Perth man for importing cocaine from Ireland began after Australian authorities intercepted suspicious international mail shipments containing drugs concealed in everyday food products.

According to a joint statement issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF), the operation was launched after border officials in Perth examined an international parcel from Northern Ireland and allegedly discovered about 561 grams of cocaine hidden inside soup sachets.

The discovery prompted further surveillance and intelligence gathering, leading authorities to identify additional shipments linked to the same address in Western Australia.

Later that month, ABF officers in Sydney intercepted a second package destined for the same Scarborough residence. Investigators allegedly found another 400 grams of cocaine concealed in curry sauce sachets, reinforcing suspicions of an organised drug importation network using international mail services.

Subsequent searches at properties in Scarborough and Perth uncovered additional evidence. Authorities seized cash, a mobile phone, 28 grams of cocaine, five grams of methamphetamine, eight grams of MDMA and 15 grams of cannabis from one address. At another property, investigators allegedly found packaging materials containing traces of suspected illicit drugs.

The operation also led to the arrest of a second suspect connected to the addresses under investigation.

AFP Inspector Matt Taylor said seemingly small drug imports could still cause significant harm when distributed across communities.

“While many air mail or air cargo imports may seem like relatively small amounts of illicit substances, combined, they can equate to millions of individual street deals and can cause significant harm.”
Matt Taylor

The investigation later expanded into a broader case involving cocaine trafficking and suspected proceeds of crime, ultimately resulting in multiple convictions and prison sentences.