National media release
Wig and bra used to conceal cocaine
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
This is a joint AFP and Customs Media Release
A 25-year-old French woman will face court today charged with attempting to smuggle approximately 500 grams of cocaine inside her wig and underwear at Sydney International Airport yesterday.
Customs officers stopped the woman and searched her baggage after she arrived on a flight from Hong Kong yesterday morning.
A female Customs officer then conducted a ‘frisk search’ of the passenger’s body and reported that she had packages hidden inside her bra.
Trace particle detection tests on the bra indicated the possible presence of cocaine.
Another concealment of cocaine was found stitched into a wig the passenger was wearing.
The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police and charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to Section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Further forensic testing will confirm the drug, its exact weight and purity.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.
The woman will face Sydney Central Local Court today (22 April).
Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100