Latest news with #importation
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Crackdown on disturbing number of 'child-like' sex dolls in Australia
A 'disturbing' number of child-like sex dolls have been imported into New South Wales over the last year, with a string of middle-aged men arrested. Australian Border Force (ABF) raided properties in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area and arrested four people over the span of about a year. The crackdown was sparked by a 'disturbing rise in attempted importations'. Trevor Richard Jones, 63, was arrested at his home near Newcastle and charged with one count of intentionally importing prohibited Tier 2 goods without approval. He pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, the Daily Telegraph reported. His matter was adjourned to Toronto in August. In April 2025, officers intercepted a sex doll delivered in an air cargo package which had been declared as a 'silicone doll'. The discovery prompted the arrest of Paul Adams, 49, on a rural property near Scone, about two hours north of Newcastle, in May. He was charged with the importation count as well as a series of other charges including four counts of possessing etc child abuse data – using a carriage service, and one count of possessing bestiality material. Adams remains in custody on remand and has not applied for bail or entered a plea. Two months later, another suspected child-like sex doll was intercepted on its way to a home in Whitebridge, Newcastle. Anthony Blakewell, 55, was arrested and charged at his home in northern NSW. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in court on August 6. The maximum penalty for those convicted of importing Tier 2 Goods, namely child-like sex dolls, is a fine of up to $782,500 or imprisonment for 10 years, or both. On each arrest, officers also seized a number of mobile phones and electronic devices allegedly found to contain references to child abuse material. ABF said illicit drugs were also found and seized at one of the homes. Inspector Michael Mahony said the force was 'resolute in its commitment to seize any and all forms of abhorrent child abuse material at the border and ensure those responsible are prosecuted'. 'Dolls that normalise child exploitation are far from a victimless crime and they have no place in the Australian community,' he said. 'These are just a few examples of recent actions taken by the ABF in relation to child-like sex dolls. 'Our officers utilise intelligence-led screening and risk-based targeting to disrupt illicit goods like these child-like sex dolls from being imported into our country.'
BreakingNews.ie
18-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man jailed for transporting almost €50,000 of cannabis into Ireland
An English man who transported almost €50,000 of cannabis into Ireland to pay off a drug debt has been given a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Alexander Kay (26) initially told gardaí he smoked cannabis and was bringing it home from Thailand as it was cheaper to buy there, but later admitted it was not for his own use. Advertisement Kay of Jupiter Grove, Wigan, United Kingdom, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the importation of cannabis at Dublin Airport on November 21st 2024. He has no previous convictions. Garda Noel McBrearty told Kieran Kelly BL, prosecuting, that customs officers found an anomaly in Kay's baggage as he was transiting through Dublin from Abu Dhabi, on his return from Thailand. Gda McBrearty said cannabis valued at just under €50,000 was found in Kay's luggage. Advertisement Michael Hourican SC, defending, said the reality was that his client was bringing the drugs back to clear a drug debt. He asked the court to take into account his early guilty plea and co-operation in relation to his own role. He said he committed the offence at the behest of others to whom he owed money. He outlined Kay's personal circumstances and told the court he had been studying engineering at Salford University but took a study break to travel. He was also involved in sport to a significant extent, including a trial with a football club. Mr Hourican handed in several testimonials. Advertisement Ireland Ireland had the 8th most overcrowded prisons in Eu... Read More Mr Hourican said his client had a good start in life but fell into recreational drug use and alcohol misuse against the backdrop of his parents' marriage breakup. He said Kay had been on a good path, but stumbled and suggested that when this case is dealt with, he will resume a positive path. Counsel said Kay has been using his time in custody well, but will serve his time away from home. Judge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of five years but imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence, noting there was substantial mitigation in the case.
Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Irish Times
US mother and son charged over €1m cannabis seizure at Dublin Airport
A New York mother and son charged over a seizure of almost €1 million worth of cannabis at Dublin Airport on Sunday have been remanded in custody. Hellasha Tingman (48) and her 30-year-old son, Shawndell Gaston, of the Bronx, in New York, USA, were each charged with unlawful possession and importation of cannabis, and having it for sale or supply. They appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court on Monday, facing bail objections. Garda Sinéad Deevy gave evidence of the arrest of Ms Tingman at customs in Terminal 2 under the Misuse of Drugs Act. READ MORE The court heard the woman gave no reply when charged with possessing 26.2kg of cannabis with an approximate value of €524,000, in two suitcases. Questioned by defence barrister Paddy Flynn, instructed by solicitor Tracy Horan, the garda agreed that the overall seizure involved 49kg of cannabis, worth almost €1 million. Mr Flynn said his client earns $177 a week and pays $790 rent. Judge Kelly held she was entitled to legal aid and noted Ms Tingman was making a bail application at this stage. She remanded her in custody to appear again. Garda Thomas Bourke said Mr Gaston made no reply when charged with the same category of offences in connection with the rest of the seizure. His solicitor, Paddy McGarry, said his client was not applying for bail at this stage. Judge Kelly allowed him legal aid and remanded them in custody to appear again on July 11th for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
ABC News
05-07-2025
- ABC News
Four women arrested over alleged cocaine-smuggling plot involving towels soaked in vinegar and chilli
Police have charged four women in Brisbane over an alleged failed attempt to import 30 kilograms of cocaine into Australia. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) alleges two 18-year-olds tried to smuggle in drugs wrapped in towels soaked in vinegar and chilli. The pair were stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers when they arrived in Brisbane on a flight from Hong Kong on July 3. Four suitcases were searched and police say they contained 20 bricks of a white substance which allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine. They were each charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance. Two other women, who police allege provided them with instructions relating to obtaining passports, airline tickets and accommodation, have also been arrested. The 23-year-old and a 21-year-old have been charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Police say all four women appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday and three were granted bail. One of the 18-year-olds was refused bail. All are expected to return to court in July. AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Natalie Scott said criminals would go to great, and sometimes novel, lengths to import drugs into the country. 'The AFP and ABF work closely every day to disrupt criminal efforts to bring harmful drugs into our country,' she said in a statement. 'Anyone who attempts to import drugs will be stopped and met with the full force of the law.' The AFP urges anyone who sees suspicious behaviour at airports to report it.
RNZ News
27-06-2025
- RNZ News
Chilean brothers arrested at Auckland hotel after allegedly importing cocaine
Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Two Chilean brothers were arrested at an Auckland hotel overnight after allegedly importing about 6 kilograms of cocaine into New Zealand last weekend. The men, Patricio Andres Castillo Castro, 26, and his older brother, Fabian Alonso Castillo Castro, 34, are jointly charged with importing cocaine into New Zealand on June 21. They are also charged with possessing cocaine for supply when they were arrested on Thursday night. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said in a statement to RNZ the pair arrived in New Zealand last week. The National Organised Crime Group had been carrying out inquiries this week. "On Thursday, a search warrant was carried out in a central Auckland hotel room where the pair were staying. "During the search warrant, around six kilograms of cocaine was located and seized." Police are unable to comment further while the matter is before the Court. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
