A Chinese tourist accused of collecting drugs posted from Hong Kong has paid $50,000 to be released on bail.
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Bradley Tsang, 40, pleaded not guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday to attempting to possess a marketable quantity of methamphetamine.
A previous charge of drug possession was dropped by the prosecution.
The court heard Tsang entered Australia 16 days before he was arrested outside Mawson post office in November.
Court documents said an express post package addressed to a Garran property was intercepted by Sydney customs officials in November.
A search of the package discovered six toner cartridges containing 360 grams of black coloured methamphetamine.
The Australian Federal Police were called and mounted a controlled operation, allowing the package to continue to its destination.
About midday on November 28, an Australia Post notice, directing the consignment could be collected from the Mawson post office, was left at the Garran address.
Tsang allegedly then collected the notice about 9am the following day and claimed the package from the post office soon after.
Officers allegedly watched the accused check the package, place the box in the boot of his hire car, and make a number of phone calls.
He was arrested about 9.36am.
A police informant told the court that further charges were likely after officers intercepted a package containing “ice” at Wodonga post office they believe was also intended for Tsang.
Tsang formally entered a plea of not guilty and applied for bail on Wednesday.
But the prosecution opposed his release, arguing he was a flight risk or he could interfere with witnesses.
Commonwealth prosecutor Kathryn Hague said police had seized Tsang’s passport but feared he could obtain other travel documents and flee the country.
“Why was he here in the first place?” Ms Hague said.
“Did he come here with the express purpose to pick up the parcel?
“Having done that, he has no reason to remain.”
But defence lawyer Jason Moffett argued there was no evidence before the court that Tsang would abscond or interfere with police investigations.
Mr Moffett said his client intended to fight the charge and a trial could be more than one year away.
He said to keep Tsang in custody would breach his human rights.
Magistrate Robert Cook granted Tsang bail under strict conditions, including that he report to police daily, adhere to a curfew at night, live in Flynn, not leave the ACT, not approach the Garran address or contact its occupants, and provide $50,000 surety.
The matter was listed for case management in February.