Woman arrested for importing drugs in chocolate bars

This is a joint AFP and Customs media release.

A 31-year-old Austrian national has been charged with importing methamphetamine (also known as Ice) into Australia in chocolate bar packaging.

On 10 March 2009 the woman arrived at Melbourne International Airport on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand.

During a baggage inspection, Customs and Border Protection officers found a plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance within the woman’s handbag.

Presumptive testing of the substance indicated a positive result for methamphetamine.

The matter was then referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the woman was charged on 11 March 2009 with possessing and importing a border controlled drug contrary to sections.307.4(1) and 307.7(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Further investigations revealed that chocolate bars in the woman’s possession were concealing white crystalline powder, which also tested positive for methamphetamine.

On 12 March 2009, further charges were laid, namely importing and possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to sections 307.1(1) and 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Police will allege in court that the woman was in possession of a total of approximately 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The woman was remanded in custody at Melbourne Magistrates Court today and is due to reappear on 5 June 2009.

Further testing of the substance will be undertaken to confirm the substance, its weight and purity.

The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.