National media release
Airline passenger arrested after drugs found in stomach
Saturday, 26 April 2008
This is a joint AFP and Customs Media Release
A 31-year-old man will face Parramatta Local Court today over an attempt to import heroin into Australia through Sydney International Airport.
Customs officers stopped the Australian citizen for a baggage examination after he arrived on a flight from Guangzhou, China on Tuesday, 22 April.
During questioning, officers became suspicious that the man was concealing drugs internally and referred him to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The man was taken for a medical examination which confirmed he was carrying a number of foreign objects in his stomach.
It will be alleged in court that he passed a total of 51 packages. Preliminary testing of powder within the packages indicated the presence of heroin.
Further forensic testing will confirm the drug's type, weight and purity.
The AFP charged the man with the importation of 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 $550,000 fine.
Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100