Dominoes, mahjong tiles hide $1m in heroin
MORE than $1 million of heroin concealed inside tiles normally used for indoor games has arrived at Sydney International Airport, police said.
The heroin was allegedly found inside four medium-sized black cases of mahjong and domino tiles.
"The tiles appeared to be of poor quality and were subjected to further tests by Customs and Border Protection Officers," an Australian Federal Police spokesman said.
The heroin was found after police drilled into a mahjong tile.
The discovery has led to the arrest of a 30-year-old Ashcroft man, who arrived in Sydney on November 20 from Vietnam.
It will be alleged in court he concealed approximately 5.5kg of heroin worth an estimated street value of $1.25 million.
The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug into Australia, and will appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 25 years' imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.