Man charged in Australia for allegedly smuggling 120g of cocaine inside Kinder Egg capsules

An Irish national has been charged in Australia with attempting to smuggle 120 grams of cocaine in six Kinder Surprise egg capsules.

After a positive result for the drug’s presence was allegedly found on his baggage, the Australian Border Force (ABF) took him to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for a CT scan, which revealed the presence of the drugs, a statement by the ABF and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said.

He later excreted the capsules, which are found contained within egg-shaped milk chocolate when retailed.

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Officers charged him with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, which can carry a penalty of up to 25 years’ imprisonment.

The man appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on December 30 2022, and is remanded in custody for a later trial date.

Chris Salmon, AFP Detective Acting Superintendent spoke about the case. He said: “Smuggling drugs internally is idiotic – there is the real risk that something could go wrong, resulting in a potentially fatal drug overdose or permanent damage to internal organs.”

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Ian Beasant, ABF Acting Superintendent Aviation Travellers said: “It is not worth risking your health by attempting to internally transport drugs into our country as ABF officers are highly trained in detection and will ensure that you are stopped at the border.”

Cocaine in Australia is some of the most expensive in the world, with street prices often costing north of USD $300 (GBP £253). At that price, 120g of cocaine has an estimated street value of $36,000 (£30,400).

Last month (December 2022), six men from the UK were jailed after attempting to smuggle £44 million worth of MDMA from Essex to Australia hidden inside of the arm of a digger.

Isaac Muk is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter