A Western Sydney scaffolder charged with importing $10 million worth of heroin has been granted bail shortly before the birth of his first child. Rickso Tasi Misi was arrested in December after Australian Border Force officers discovered 25 kilograms of heroin concealed in vacuum-sealed bags inside two suitcases at Sydney Airport.

Misi, 22, arrived on a business class flight from Thailand when authorities seized the drugs, which were estimated to have a purity of 72 percent. Police said the heroin had the potential to be divided into approximately 100,000 street-level deals. Court documents revealed that CCTV footage captured Misi carrying plastic bags into the Shenzhen Tower Hotel in Bangkok days before his flight to Sydney.

Further investigation uncovered messages on Misi’s mobile phone, including a Threema group chat where he was allegedly instructed to confirm his safe arrival in Australia and indicate a meeting location to facilitate collection of the drugs. One message purportedly advised him to delete all communications before boarding his flight. Misi was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and was held in custody for eight months.

In written submissions to the New South Wales Supreme Court, Misi’s lawyer Abbas Soukie argued that detaining Misi during the final stages of his wife’s pregnancy was unjustified. The court heard that Misi’s wife became aware of her pregnancy shortly before his arrest and had been experiencing emotional, mental, and financial difficulties during his imprisonment. Soukie emphasized the significance of Misi being present for the birth and immediate postnatal period, describing it as a “compelling and time-critical need.”

The court granted bail this week, allowing Misi to support his wife during this critical time. Misi has not yet entered a plea, and his case is scheduled for further mention on August 19.