A man and woman from Western Australia have been sentenced to a combined 11 years' imprisonment for importing 182 grams of pure heroin concealed internally.
The pair was sentenced in the Perth District Court this week (29 October, 2024).
The man, now 49, was sentenced to seven years and four months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four years and six months. The woman, now 49, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and four months.
The pair was charged earlier this year after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined their baggage when they arrived in Perth on 14 February, 2024, on an international flight from Asia.
Examination of their mobile devices revealed images of what was believed to be illegal drugs and they were referred to the AFP for further investigation.
Scans identified the potential presence of internally concealed drugs and AFP officers transported the pair to hospital for further tests. The tests confirmed the presence of pellets in both of their bodies.
The man later excreted six pellets containing heroin, with a total weight of 115.4 grams and a pure weight of 86.3 grams.
The woman later excreted seven pellets containing heroin, with a total weight of 139.7 grams and a pure weight of 95.8 grams.
The combined pure weight of the seized drugs is 182.1 grams, which could have been sold as 910 street deals. The court was told the heroin could have been worth as much as $107,000.
The court was also told the pair inserted the pellets in their bodies before leaving Asia.
AFP Detective Sergeant Jason Hartley said criminal syndicates tried a variety of methods to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia.
"This matter should serve as 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."
Det-Sgt Hartley said anyone who agreed to traffic illicit drugs into Australia was not only risking substantial jail time but also taking grave risks with their health.
"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 AFP will continue to work closely with ABF and other partners to make sure our airports remain a hostile environment for criminal syndicates."
ABF Commander Ranjeev Maharaj said the sentencing result underscored the truth in what officers had asserted many times previously.
"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," Commander Maharaj said.
"Our officers take their role protecting the Australian community extremely seriously - and they are well trained and well equipped to detect efforts such as this one."
