customs and border protection and australian federal police joint media release

Woman charged for importing Nembutal - 4 February 2010

A 61-year-old Canterbury woman will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court today, charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with importing Nembutal.

On 19 March 2009 a consignment originating from Mexico was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection at Melbourne International Airport.

The consignment consisted of two perfume bottles of clear liquid.

The matter was referred to the AFP and an investigation began.

AFP officers executed a search warrant on a Canterbury address on 15 April 2009.

The woman has now been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely Pentobarbitone (a Barbiturate also known as Nembutal), contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

Media enquiries:

AFP National Media (02) 6275 7100

Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793