Nigerian Man Charged Over Internal Drug Concealment

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Nigerian Man Charged Over Internal Drug Concealment

A 46-year-old Nigerian man will face the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with importing drugs into Australia concealed inside his body.

Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the man for questioning when he arrived at Melbourne International Airport on Monday 26 October.

During a baggage examination officers became suspicious that the man may have been concealing drugs internally.

He was subsequently referred to the Australian Federal Police and taken for a medical examination.

While in custody the man allegedly passed a number of packages that contained a substance believed to be heroin.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the drug, its weight and purity.

The man was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug and possession of 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:
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media
(02) 6275 6793

AFP National Media
(02) 6275 7100

SOURCE: Customs and BorerProtection/AFP