Customs and Border Protection media release

Woman charged with importing cocaine - 24 December

Joint media release with the Australian Federal Police (AFP)

A 44-year-old United States woman has been arrested at Sydney Airport for importing cocaine into Australia, following the arrest of another woman on 23 December by US authorities in Miami.

Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the woman and her two children to x-ray their suitcases when they arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Miami via San Francisco yesterday (23 December 2010).

During the search, officers found a substance concealed within the lining of her suitcase.

Initial testing of the substance indicated the presence of approximately 1.5 to 2 kilograms of cocaine.

The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police, and charged with procuring children for importing or exporting marketable quantities of border controlled drugs or border controlled plants, contrary to section 309.12 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.

She was also charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

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

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

This arrest follows the seizure of 2.5 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of a 23-year-old woman by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 23 December 2010 in Miami.

Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793