A man and woman from Western Australia have been jailed after they were caught smuggling heroin “internally”.
The pair, both 49, were stopped at Perth Airport on February 14 this year after an international flight from Asia.
When Border Force officers found images of illegal drugs on their phones, they were referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The pair then underwent scans which revealed the presence of internally concealed drugs in both their bodies.
The AFP said the man later excreted six pellets, containing 86 grams of heroin in total.
The woman later excreted seven pellets, containing 96 grams of heroin.
The court heard the heroin was worth as much as $107,000 and could have been sold in 910 street deals.
AFP Detective Sergeant Jason Hartley said the smuggling method was a “salient warning to the community”.
“This is your drug supply chain in action,” he said.
“Illicit drugs are not produced in sterile environments, and they’re certainly not transported in hygienic conditions.”
Hartley said such a smuggling method was a substantial health risk.
“We know these pellets can burst in the stomach, or in other parts of the body, causing significant risk of a devastating overdose,” he said.
“Couriers are risking their own lives and face lengthy jail time if they are caught. It is just not worth it.”
The man was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison. The woman was sentenced to four years.
They will be eligible for parole in four years and six months, and two years and four months, respectively.
Border Force Commander Ranjeev Maharaj said ABF officers are well trained and well equipped to detect smuggling efforts like this.
“This message remains very simple. Do not attempt to illegally import drugs into Australia. We will detect your efforts, and you will face the full legal consequences,” Maharaj said.
