PHOTO: The package that allegedly contained imported methylamphetamine and, inset, real estate agent Gerardo Penna. Pictures: Australian Border Force, LinkedIn
A Canberra real estate agent has been charged with allegedly importing more than $4 million of methylamphetamine by mail. Gerardo Penna, 40, is now behind bars after rejecting his bail application during a brief appearance at the ACT Magistrates Court Thursday afternoon. Through attorney Sarah Boxall, he denied charges of attempting to possess commercial quantities of illegally imported methylamphetamine and smuggling the same drug. Appearing from a distant room wearing a hooded sweater, Mr. Penna did not speak and was detained by magistrate James Lawton. His arrest follows the arrest of Priscilla Palombi, a 39-year-old Bonner woman who was released on bail Wednesday after she was accused of trying to possess the same imported methylamphetamine. ACT Police said a package containing the drugs weighing about 4.5 kilograms was seized by the Australian Border Force when it arrived in the country on 3 November. The house they claimed was the place targeted last week. Officers from the ACT Police drug and organized crime team later raided the scene and arrested Ms. Palombi, who did not plead or seek conditional freedom when she appeared in court Wednesday.
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