Australian Man Jailed Over Cocaine Smuggled in Soup Packets

Perth - A West Australian man has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on Monday, May 25, for importing approximately four kilograms of cocaine from Ireland and Northern Ireland hidden inside soup sachets, curry packets and face masks.

Cocaine in curry sauce packet.

The 35-year-old Perth Central Business District resident is the third individual sentenced in connection with the drug syndicate, which smuggled the border-controlled substances through eight separate mail shipments between 6 November 2022 and 1 April 2023.

The offender was handed a non-parole period of six years and six months at his sentencing on 25 May 2026.

His convictions include one count of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, one count of trafficking cocaine and three counts of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis.

He was also convicted on two counts of dealing with money or property valued at A$100,000 or more that was believed to be the proceeds of crime.

His sentencing follows the prior imprisonment of two other individuals involved in laundering the syndicate's drug money.

A 33-year-old Morley man was sentenced on 21 December 2023 to 15 months’ imprisonment for dealing with A$200,000 suspected to be the proceeds of drug crime.

Seized cash in Morley.

Additionally, a 39-year-old Piara Waters woman was sentenced on 14 February 2026 to a 12-month suspended six-month prison sentence, alongside a A$5,000 fine, for dealing with A$100,000 in suspected drug money.

Australian Federal Police Detective, Acting Inspector David Blockley, stated that the cocaine seized in the matter might have arrived in the country in smaller amounts, but it still had the potential to cause unimaginable harm to the community.

"This investigation is yet another serious warning to those attempting to import harmful, illicit substances into Australia, we will identify you, seize your drugs and bring you to justice," Blockley said.