TL;DR
Australian authorities thwarted a plot to smuggle approximately 49 pounds of cocaine into the country using Xerox printers. Four men were involved, with some sentenced to prison. The case highlights evolving methods of drug trafficking.
Australian authorities have confirmed that they intercepted five Xerox printers in Melbourne in April 2017, which contained nearly 50 pounds of cocaine, preventing a major drug importation attempt into Australia. Four men involved in the operation have been sentenced, with some receiving lengthy prison terms. This case exemplifies the increasing sophistication of organized crime in smuggling illegal drugs.
According to a press release from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF), the operation took place on April 30, 2017, when authorities intercepted five Xerox printers at a facility in Melbourne. Inside the printers, investigators found 10 packages of compressed white powder, which presumptive testing confirmed to be cocaine. The authorities replaced the drugs with an alternative substance and sent the package to its original destination in Airport West, Victoria. The operation was part of a broader effort to combat organized crime’s evolving smuggling tactics.
In May 2017, four men were arrested attempting to retrieve the printers. Three of these men have since been sentenced: one received a nine-year prison sentence with a non-parole period of four and a half years, another was sentenced in 2025 to 10 years with a five-and-a-half-year non-parole period, and a third in 2022 received a 10-year sentence with a six-and-a-half-year non-parole period. The fourth man, also arrested in 2017, was found not guilty. The AFP described this case as an example of the advanced methods used by organized crime groups to smuggle drugs into Australia.
Why It Matters
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of Australian law enforcement to adapt to increasingly sophisticated drug trafficking methods. The use of commercial equipment like printers to conceal large quantities of narcotics indicates a significant threat to public safety and border security. The sentencing of multiple individuals involved demonstrates the government’s commitment to dismantling organized crime networks that profit from drug trafficking and the potential impact on reducing supply chains.
Xerox printer with concealed compartments
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Background
In 2019, Australian media reported that the printers involved were Xerox brand, and the cocaine had an estimated street value between 9.3 million and over 12.4 million AUD. The incident marked a notable escalation in the methods used by traffickers, who have increasingly employed commercial and seemingly innocuous items for concealment. Prior to this, Australian authorities have intercepted various drug shipments, but the use of printers with concealed compartments is a relatively recent development reflecting evolving tactics in organized crime.
“The AFP, as well as our domestic and international partners, are steadfast in our mission to protect the community by disrupting and dismantling organized crime groups and their efforts to profit off the misery caused in our community.”
— Australian Federal Police acting commander Simone Butcher
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What Remains Unclear
Details about the specific individuals involved, the full extent of the smuggling network, and whether similar tactics are ongoing remain unclear. It is also not confirmed if additional shipments using similar methods have been intercepted since 2017, or if other brands of printers are being targeted.
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What’s Next
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring for similar smuggling tactics and may increase surveillance on commercial equipment. Further investigations could reveal more about the networks behind this operation, and law enforcement may pursue additional arrests or seizures related to this case.
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Key Questions
How did authorities discover the cocaine in the printers?
Authorities intercepted the printers in Melbourne and used presumptive testing to confirm the presence of cocaine within the packages concealed inside the paper trays.
What sentences were handed down to those involved?
One man received a nine-year prison sentence with a non-parole period of four and a half years; another was sentenced in 2025 to 10 years with a five-and-a-half-year non-parole period; a third received a 10-year sentence in 2022 with a six-and-a-half-year non-parole period; the fourth man was found not guilty.
Are similar smuggling methods still being used today?
It is not yet clear if traffickers continue to use similar tactics, but law enforcement agencies remain vigilant for evolving methods of drug concealment and smuggling.
What is the significance of using Xerox printers for smuggling?
Using commercial items like Xerox printers allows traffickers to exploit everyday equipment for concealment, making detection more difficult and highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance and intelligence efforts.
