Brazilian National Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Operation
A Brazilian national, who evaded authorities for 10 years, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in a 2012 cocaine smuggling conspiracy. He was part of a drug trafficking syndicate responsible for importing cocaine from South America into Australia via New Zealand.
The man was originally arrested on the Gold Coast in 2012 as part of Operation Ashby, a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police Service. After being granted bail, he fled and remained at large for a decade. In 2022, Western Australia Police officers arrested him during a traffic stop, leading to his extradition to Queensland, where he faced trial.
This case highlights the efforts of law enforcement in tackling transnational crime.
Source AFP