Two Icelandic men have been arrested at Melbourne Airport after officials found what they suspected was three kilograms of cocaine on them.
The men have been charged at Melbourne Magistrates Court with importation through Melbourne Airport. An Icelandic teacher was at the court to act as an interpreter for the two men, who were arrested at the airport by the Australian Federal Police.
Ruth Parker, the solicitor for one of the accused men, explained that the female teacher volunteered to do the interpreting as the only two Icelandic interpreters known to be living in Melbourne were unavailable. The teacher sat beside the Consul General of Iceland, who was also present in the court.
Commonwealth prosecutor Ben Kerlin informed magistrate Gerard Lethbridge that they had not yet weighed the cocaine because of how it was concealed; however, he said it is believed to be around three kilograms. He added that it will take around six weeks to complete the analysis of the drugs.
The two Icelanders face charges of importing a commercial quantity of cocaine. Neither applied for bail, and they are due to appear in front of the court again in November.