National media release
Woman arrested over internal drug concealment
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
This is a joint Australian Federal Police and Customs Media Release
A 30-year-old Australian woman will face Sydney Central Local Court today, charged with importing cocaine into Australia.
Customs officers at Sydney International Airport stopped the woman for a baggage examination when she arrived on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City on 6 June.
During questioning, officers became suspicious that she may have been concealing drugs internally.
The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken to hospital for a medical examination.
It will be alleged in court she passed two large pellets containing approximately 200 grams of a white powder believed to be cocaine.
The pellets are currently the subject of forensic testing to confirm the drug, its exact weight and purity.
The woman has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug under the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $550,000.
Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100