SYDNEY: A 50-year-old Cambodian-Australian Woman has been charged with smuggling 252 pellets of heroin to Australia inside her body. A woman appeared before the Sydney Central Local Court, charged with importing the drug.

On 8 January 2015, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers at Sydney Airport selected the woman for a baggage examination after she arrived on a flight from Cambodia.

During the search, the officers scanned the woman’s baggage and allegedly detected ephedrine and cocaine residue. A body scan was also conducted, and images showed inconsistencies.

She was taken to hospital and later allegedly passed a total of 252 pellets.

Initial testing indicated the pellets allegedly contained heroin, with further testing to take place to determine the exact weight and purity.

Australian Federal Police officers subsequently charged the woman with one count of importing a marketable quantity of border controlled drug, namely heroin.

ACBPS Regional Commander Tim Fitzgerald said this method of importation was particularly concerning.

“If you attempt to smuggle drugs internally, you are taking a serious gamble on your health and safety,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“The potential danger this woman has put herself in is a reminder of the risks involved with this kind of concealment. It is also a reminder to the Australian public of the lengths that people and organised criminal groups will go to in order to import illicit drugs into our country.”

AFP Acting Airport Police Commander Conrad Jensen said drug couriers and their associates face strong penalties.

“This arrest should send a warning to criminals that if you participate in these activities, you could be facing up to 25 years imprisonment”, Acting Commander Jensen said.