Over $31 million worth of illicit drugs have been seized in a 48 hour period at at Sydney Airport, 9News has reported.
Two foreign nationals have been charged by the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force after two separate busts uncovered 27kg of cocaine and 21kg of methamphetamine.
The first man, a Canadian-Ecuadorian dual national, was charged with allegedly smuggling 6kg of cocaine in his underpants on September 21. After border security believed something was wrong with the man's visa application, a physical search was conducted.
Police allege the search led to the discovery of a package taped to the 41-year-old man's groin. The contents tested positive for cocaine.
The man was arrested by Australian police and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
On September 23, a second, unrelated man was charged with importing 21kg of cocaine and 21kg of methamphetamine concealed in two suitcases.
Police spotted two packages in his suitcases upon arrival, with the packages returning positive results of cocaine and methamphetamine.
The man, a 23-year-old US national, was charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
The combined 27kg of cocaine and 21kg of methamphetamine had a street value of $31.3 million.
The first man, 41, appeared in a Sydney court on September 22. He was refused bail and will return to court in November.
The second man, 23, appeared in a Sydney court on September 24 and was also refused bail and will also return to court in November.
AFP Acting Sydney Airport Police Commander Dom Stephenson said busts like this should come as "no surprise" to the community.
"Despite all the risks involved, we are still arresting people attempting to bring illicit drugs into our country through our airports," he said.
"When individuals travel to Australia with drugs hidden in their possession, it should come as no surprise they will be detected and face the full consequences of the law."
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