Lane Cove Man Charged After Allegedly Trying to Drop Off Drugs to a Quarantined Returned Traveller

A Lane Cove man has been charged after allegedly trying to drop off drugs to a returned Overseas traveller staying in a Sydney Hotel under the new quarantine laws.

About 1.15 pm yesterday (Thursday 2 April 2020), a 37-year-old Lane Cove man attended a hotel on Elizabeth Street to deliver a fruit box to a man in quarantine under the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order 2020.

Police searched the box and allegedly found a white envelope containing an MDMA capsule.

The man was arrested and when officers searched him, they allegedly found a bag of white powder, believed to be cocaine.

He was issued a Court Attendance Notice for supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug.

The man is due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 19 June 2020.

Police said inquiries are continuing.

At this stage, it does not look like the man was also charged under the lockdown rules enacted under the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020.

This public order makes it unlawful for people to leave their place of residence  unless they are going to for a reasonable excuse including:

  • work (where you can’t work remotely)
  • school or an educational institution
  • shop for food and essentials
  • get medical care or supplies
  • exercise.