National media release
Heroin in suitcase at Melbourne Airport
Monday, 11 August 2008
This is a Joint Australian Federal Police and Customs Media Release
A 32-year-old South African woman will face Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with importing almost two kilograms of heroin into Australia.
Customs officers at Melbourne International Airport stopped the woman and searched her baggage after she arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Saturday morning (9 August).
An x-ray of the woman’s suitcase revealed an image consistent with a possible drug concealment. Further investigation found a quantity of white powder inside the lining of the suitcase.
Preliminary testing of the powder indicated the substance to be heroin. Further forensic testing will confirm the drug, its exact weight and purity.
The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to the Criminal Code Act (1995).
She appeared before a bail justice on Saturday evening and was remanded in custody until today when she will reappear before a magistrate.
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.
Media enquiries:
AFP Media (Canberra): (02) 6275 7100