A married couple from Nollamara, Perth will each spend up to nine years behind bars after being convicted of attempting to smuggle 56 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated $18.2 million, into Australia hidden inside car tyres.
The 60-year-old man and his 52-year-old wife were found guilty in November 2024 of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported cocaine. Their sentences were handed down on July 18, 2025, concluding a year-long investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
The sophisticated plot saw the illicit drugs hidden inside four performance car tyres that arrived in Perth by air cargo from Switzerland. The tyres appeared normal at first glance but were carefully modified to conceal plastic-wrapped packages of cocaine behind the rims.
Cocaine Seized at Perth Cargo Facility
ABF officers discovered the suspicious cargo during a routine inspection at the Perth cargo facility. Upon closer examination, 56 packages of white powder were recovered from inside the tyres. Forensic analysis confirmed the powder was cocaine, containing 37.67 kilograms of pure product—enough for 280,000 street-level deals.
The next day, the Perth couple used tools and knives to slice open the tyres and retrieve the packages. Authorities allege they were working in concert with a father and son from Sydney, who flew to Perth shortly after the drugs arrived.
Packages Dumped in Bin After Hotel Drop
The Sydney pair collected the cocaine packages and transported them to a hotel. At some point, they opened at least one of the black plastic-wrapped bricks, but inexplicably, they discarded all the packages into a skip bin outside a shopping centre.
The AFP arrested the father and son shortly after and executed a search of their accommodation. The pair were sentenced in April 2025 for their roles in the operation.
Authorities Condemn “Greedy” Traffickers
AFP Acting Superintendent Chris Colley said the case highlights the scale and recklessness of international drug trafficking operations.
“This amount of cocaine had the potential to be sold as about 280,000 individual street deals of 0.2 grams and put about $18.2 million in the pockets of criminals,” he said. “Drug traffickers are motivated by greed and show no regard for the harm they cause to communities.”
The sentence reflects the serious nature of the crime, which could have flooded Western Australian streets with a massive amount of high-purity cocaine.
ABF Acting Superintendent Carmen Lee praised the sharp detection work by frontline border officers, whose experience and vigilance prevented the drugs from entering circulation.
“The skills and vigilance of ABF officers at the border ensured this dangerous cargo was stopped before it could reach Australian streets,” she said. “This outcome should act as a warning. Do not be blinded by greed—you will be found out and face serious jail time.”
Broader Impact and Public Message
Authorities are continuing to investigate whether the group was part of a larger drug syndicate with international connections. The case has also raised questions about emerging methods used by smugglers, including increasingly sophisticated concealment tactics.
With the couple now sentenced and their Sydney accomplices already jailed, law enforcement officials hope this case serves as a deterrent to others seeking to profit from the drug trade.
The AFP and ABF are urging the public to report any suspicious packages or behavior related to air cargo shipments, reminding Australians that drug trafficking is a serious offense with life-changing consequences.
