National media release
Woman arrested over internal drug concealment
Monday, 29 September 2008
This is a Joint Australian Federal Police and Customs Media Releas
A 48-year-old woman will face Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with attempting to import a marketable quantity of heroin.
Customs officers at Melbourne International Airport stopped the woman for a baggage examination after she arrived on a flight from Vietnam on Saturday 27 September 2008.
During questioning Customs officers became suspicious that she may be concealing drugs internally.
The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken to hospital for a medical examination where an x-ray indicated that the woman was carrying a number of foreign objects concealed internally.
It will be alleged in court that she was carrying three packages containing more than 270 grams of powder, believed to be heroin.
The packages will undergo forensic testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs.
The AFP charged the woman with the importation of a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to 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