Couple Charged With Importing Cocaine Internally

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

24 March 2010


Couple charged with importing cocaine internally

A 51-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman will face the Brisbane
Magistrates Court today charged with importing a substance believed to be
cocaine.

The couple were stopped and questioned by Customs and Border Protection
officers when they arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from
Dubai on Sunday 21 March.

During questioning, Customs and Border Protection officers became
suspicious that they may have been concealing drugs internally.

The couple were referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken to
hospital for medical examination.

It will be alleged in court that the man passed 74 pellets and the woman
passed 77 pellets (151 pellets in total) believed to contain cocaine.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the exact weight and
purity of the substance.

They have been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border
controlled drug, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a
$550,000 fine.

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Media enquiries:

AFP National Media (02) 6275 7100
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793