National media release
Hair raising attempt to import drugs
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
This is a joint AFP and Customs media release.
Customs and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) stopped an alleged attempt by an American woman to smuggle more than one kilogram of cocaine into Australia concealed under a wig.
The 54-year-old US citizen will appear in Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Customs officers at Sydney International Airport stopped the woman for a baggage examination after she arrived on a flight from Amsterdam via Singapore yesterday (23 September).
It will be alleged in court that the woman had concealed white powder under a wig sewn to her hair. Presumptive testing of the powder indicated the presence of cocaine and the woman was referred to the AFP.
AFP forensics deconstructed the wig which was found to contain approximately one kilogram of cocaine.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100