Media Release: Woman charged for importing heroin internally

Release Date: Sunday, July 29 2012, 10:18 AM

This is a joint media release with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

A 39-year-old Vietnamese woman appeared in Parramatta Children’s Court today charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for importing heroin into Australia, concealed inside her body.

The woman was stopped and questioned by Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers at Sydney International Airport, after she arrived on a flight from Vietnam on 26 July 2012.

During questioning, Customs and Border Protection officers became suspicious that she may have been concealing drugs internally.

The woman was referred to the AFP and taken to hospital for a medical examination, where she later passed a total of 52 pellets.

Further forensic testing will take place to determine exact weight and purity.

The AFP has charged the woman with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793