British traveller caught with stomach full of heroin

A 52-year-old British national has faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with attempting to import heroin concealed internally, after Police say he excreted more than 90 pellets full of heroin following his arrival into Melbourne this week.

The man arrived at Melbourne Airport on a flight from Bangkok on March 22nd, where Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected him for a baggage examination. 

Questioning by ABF officers raised suspicions of a possible internal concealment, prompting officers to detain the man and undertake an internal body scan. 

ABF officers then alerted Australian Federal Police (AFP), who attended the airport to conduct further enquiries. 

AFP officers transported the man to a Melbourne hospital, where a subsequent medical scan identified multiple small pellets in the man’s stomach. 

Police allege the man had internally concealed more than 90 pellets containing heroin, which were subsequently excreted while under medical supervision. The total weight of the heroin was about 1.1kg. 

The man has been charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug, and possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug. These offences each carry a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment and/or a $1.6 million fine. 

He was remanded in custody, and will next appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 17th. 

AFP Acting Commander Simone Butcher said internal concealment posed serious risks to the individual and the community.

“Transporting drugs internally is extremely dangerous. Even if only one pellet ruptures, it can be fatal,” A/Commander Butcher said.

“Criminal syndicates treat couriers as disposable. They show no regard for the person’s life or the harm these drugs cause in the community.

“The AFP, working closely with the ABF, will continue to detect and disrupt attempts to import illicit substances, no matter how they are concealed.”

ABF Commander Clinton Sims said anyone attempting to import illicit substances by internal concealment risks not only criminal charges, but also their significant harm to their health. 

“ABF has advanced, intelligence-led, screening techniques, including working with our international law enforcement partners, to identify travellers who may pose a risk to the Australian community,” Commander Sims said.

“Our officers are trained to examine more than just baggage, we consider the demeanour and behaviour of travellers, and how they respond to questioning.

“ABF officers are alert to the concealment methods of criminals and have the knowledge and intel before you even step off the plane.”

Police say further forensic analysis of the pellets is ongoing.