National media release
Man faces court for smuggling drugs internally
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
A 27-year-old man will face Sydney Central Local Court today charged with attempting to import heroin into Australia.
Customs officers at Sydney International Airport stopped the South African national after he arrived on a flight from Singapore on Monday 12 May.
While questioning the man, officers became suspicious that he may have been concealing drugs internally.
The man was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken to hospital for a medical examination. An x-ray showed he was carrying a number of foreign objects in his stomach.
It will be alleged in court that the man passed a total of 68 packages containing approximately 500 grams of a powder believed to be heroin.
The packages are currently the subject of forensic testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs.
The AFP has charged the man with the importation of a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug under Section 307.2 of 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