National media release
Woman faces court for smuggling drugs internally
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
A 19-year-old United States citizen will face Sydney Central Local Court today charged with attempting to internally smuggle cocaine into Australia.
The woman was stopped by Customs officers at Sydney International Airport after arriving on a flight from Los Angeles on Sunday, 25 May 2008.
During questioning, Customs officers became suspicious she may have been concealing drugs internally.
The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and transferred to hospital for a medical examination. An x-ray revealed she was carrying a number of foreign objects internally.
It will be alleged in court the woman was carrying 40 packages containing approximately 400 grams of a powder believed to be cocaine.
The packages are currently the subject of forensic testing to determine the weight and purity of the drugs.
The AFP has charged the woman 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