Two Brisbane Airport freight workers who are accused of stealing electronic devices from packages and recruiting others to sell the items have faced court.
Between February and November last year, Shannon William Hepi and Scott David Falkiner allegedly used their security clearance to access a restricted area and take multiple devices including mobile phones, tablets and phone accessories from parcels.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigators have alleged that during the nine-month period the men asked family members and friends to peddle the stolen goods for money and drugs.
The pair — who are both aged in their 40s — were arrested in March this year after an investigation was launched following the discovery of opened packages by Australian Border Force employees.
They were originally charged with one count each of theft of mail and dealing with money suspected of being proceeds of crime, but in a brief appearance on Friday, the Brisbane Magistrates Court heard they were also facing a further seven counts of theft of mail.
Narelle Susan Adams, Janese Hepi, Sheraldine Keno, Deborah Peacock, Andrew Shepi and Kurt Lindley, who were allegedly involved in the selling operation, also had their matters briefly heard.
The group of six, aged between 32 and 51, have each been charged with receiving stolen mail.
All eight are all on bail and their cases will return to court in September.
