A Sydney man has faced court after an Australian Federal Police sting operation uncovered three kilograms of heroin hidden inside a package of silk table runners sent from Thailand.
After Australian Border Force officers raised suspicions about the package labelled "cloth'' at a Sydney importation facility, AFP investigators replaced the drugs with a harmless substance and sent the delivery to its intended destination.
The 31-year-old was arrested and charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of heroin, after he arrived at the property and allegedly tried to collect the package.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
AFP Sergeant Alex Drummond says the seizure prevented $3.9 million worth of harm to the community.
"Illicit drug use causes a significant burden to the Australian economy," he said.
"The estimated total social costs for every kilogram of opioids is more than $1.3 million through crime, loss of productivity, emergency treatment and increased health-care costs."
The heroin is estimated to have a street value of $1.27 million.
AFP officers searched the man's Bonnyrigg home in western Sydney, seizing more than $10,000 worth of luxury items - including Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Lauren and Gucci handbags - to be investigated as suspected proceeds of crime.
ABF Superintendent Tina Tizzone praised the work of the officers involved in the drug bust.
"Criminals will try to hide illicit substances in a variety of creative ways,'' she said.
"However, our officers have many detection methods at their disposal, with officer intuition and use of innovative technologies often the driving forces behind these kind of discoveries."
The accused faced a committal hearing at Downing Centre local Court on Thursday.
