National media release
Perth woman faces heroin smuggling charges
Monday, 01 December 2008
A 48-year-old Australian woman will appear in Perth Magistrates Court today charged with importing drugs into Australia.
The Carabooda woman was stopped for questioning by Customs officers yesterday after arriving at Perth International Airport on a flight from Singapore.
During questioning, Customs officers became suspicious that the woman was concealing drugs internally and she was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The woman was taken to hospital where scans indicated she was internally concealing a foreign object.
Preliminary testing of the substance indicated the presence of heroin.
The packages weighed a total of approximately 350 grams, which would have an estimated street value of $385,000.
The woman was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug 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 Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100