21kg cocaine import: two men charged
February 28, 2007 - 1:23PM
Alleged drug runners tried to smuggle a 21kg package of cocaine worth $3 million into Australia from Colombia hidden in a computer monitor, a court heard.
Billy Sergio Palamene, 48, from Northgate in Brisbane, and 31-year-old Ruben Hurtado, from Matraville in Sydney, were arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers in Brisbane last night after police received a tip-off about the alleged importation.
Palamene, a New Zealand citizen, was refused bail in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today when the magistrate deemed him an unacceptable flight risk.
Hurtado is expected to apply for bail tomorrow.
Both men have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine into Australia, conspiracy to import a commercial quantity cocaine and attempted possession of a commercial quantity of cocaine.
Both face life imprisonment if convicted.
The court was told Palamene used his job as a courier driver for FedEx to put together a list of legitimate delivery addresses, which he gave to Hurtado, who was allegedly connected to drug barons in Colombia.
Police are alleging Hurtado used his Colombian connections to organise for the drugs to be sent through FedEx, via Venezuela and the US, and that Palamene would intercept them in Australia.
The court was told Palamene would then hand them over to Hurtado.
Police allege another five consignments had already been arranged for importation.
The court heard the drugs were transported in a "sophisticated manner", in a waterproof case concealed in a computer monitor.
Neither of the accused has entered a plea.
But defence lawyer for Palamene, Jim Coburn, said his client had made full admissions to police.
Mr Coburn said his client was "at the very lowest end of the food chain", that he was only being paid $5,000 for his role in the operation, and that he had no idea of the amount or street value of the drugs in the package.
Palamene was remanded in custody to appear again on March 30.
