(Bloomberg) -- A 48-year-old man has been arrested as part of an investigation into suspicious packages delivered to embassies and consulates throughout Australia, according to a statement on Australian Federal Police's website.
The man was charged on Wednesday with sending dangerous articles carried by a postal service. He is scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning.
The maximum penalty for the offense the man has been charged with is 10 years imprisonment. It will be alleged in court that the man sent 38 parcels to consulates and embassies in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, with a substance suspected to have been sourced from his Shepparton home.
Police have so far recovered 29 of these packages, with forensic testing to be undertaken on them to determine the exact composition of the material in them. Police have identified all intended recipients and have put processes in place to recover the outstanding packages. There is no ongoing threat to the general public.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jim Jia in Sydney at jjia1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Niluksi Koswanage at nkoswanage@bloomberg.net
©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
