German authorities intercepted two separate consignments of hydraulic cylinders being sent through buy air mail to an address in Surfers Paradise,

50-year-old New Zealand man will appear in Southport Magistrates Court today charged with attempting to possess cocaine, following a transnational operation involving the Australian Federal Police and German law enforcement.This operation is the first involving information exchanged through the Europol Liaison Bureau in the Hague, following the appointment of an AFP member in May this year.German authorities intercepted two separate consignments of hydraulic cylinders being sent through buy air mail to an address in Surfers Paradise, Queensland in early August. Each consignment contained approximately 1.2 kilograms of cocaine. German authorities seized the cocaine and forwarded the consignment to the AFP.AFP agents monitored the delivery to a Surfers’ Paradise address yesterday and conducted search warrants at Mermaid Beach and two separate Surfers Paradise addresses.The AFP arrested the 50-year-old man and a 27-year-old Columbian woman at Surfers Paradise last night. Both were charged with attempting to possess a marketable quantity of cocaine contrary to the Criminal Code Act (1995).The 27-year-old woman will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on 4 September.An AFP member joined the Europol Liaison Bureau in The Hague in May this year, joining 34 member countries, including Germany.AFP National Manager Border and International Tim Morris said this operation highlighted the importance of working with international law enforcement.
“The global nature of organised crime makes bodies like the Europol Liaison Bureau an important resource in combating international drug smuggling,” Assistant Commissioner Morris said.