Two Women Charged Over Internal Drug Concealments
A 36-year-old Nigerian woman will face Melbourne Magistrates Court today
charged with importing drugs into Australia.
It follows yesterday's appearance in Melbourne Magistrates Court of a 51-
year-old Nigerian woman, who arrived on the same flight.
Customs and Border Protection officers stopped both women for questioning
when they arrived at Melbourne International Airport on Sunday 22 November
from Dubai.
Officers suspected the women were concealing drugs internally and they were
referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken for a medical
examination.
While in custody, the 51-year-old woman allegedly passed 72 packages
containing an estimated 1.2 kilograms of a substance, which is believed to be
illicit.
It will be alleged that the 36-year-old woman passed 110 packages, containing
approximately 1.1 kilograms of a substance, also believed to be illicit.
Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the drug, its weight and
purity.
The women were both charged with importing a marketable quantity of a
border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act
1995 and possessing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug,
contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years imprisonment and/or a
$550,000 fine.
The 51-year-old woman has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear
in Melbourne Magistrates Court on 1 March 2010.
Media enquiries:
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793
AFP National Media (02) 6275 7100
SOURCE: Australia Customs and Border Protection Service and Australian Federal Police