National media release
British man charged with importing drugs internally
Friday, 20 March 2009
This is a joint AFP and Customs media release.
A 47-year-old man from the United Kingdom will appear in the Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing drugs into Australia.
Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the man for questioning when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Argentina on Tuesday (17 March).
Officers became suspicious the man may have been concealing drugs internally and he was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The man was taken to hospital where scans showed he was carrying 11 packages internally.
The AFP will allege in court that approximately 110 grams of an illegal substance, believed to be cocaine, was contained within the packages.
Forensic testing will be carried out to confirm the substance, its exact weight and purity.
The man was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug 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