A New Zealand woman faced the Hobart Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday 14 November) for allegedly importing illicit drugs on her body.
The woman, 49, arrived at Hobart International Airport on Sunday 13 November on a flight from Auckland and was subjected to an examination by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers.
During the examination, ABF officers identified 130 tablets of Temazepam and 26 tablets of Diazepam without prescriptions.
She was arrested and charged with importing a trafficable quantity of a controlled substance into Tasmania contrary to section 12 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 2001 (Tas).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 21 years’ imprisonment.
The woman was remanded in custody to appear in court at a later date.
AFP Sergeant Nick Gibson said this the first arrest by the AFP since the re-commencement of international flights into Tasmania.
“The AFP is committed to working together with the ABF to prevent any amount of drugs from entering the country including through our international airports,” Sergeant Gibson said.
“We are warning travellers arriving in Australia with drugs in their possession, they will be detected and face the consequences of the law.”
ABF Acting Inspector Jesse Turner said officers located the Temazepam and Diazepam in the traveller’s luggage during a search.
“Our officers are committed to stamping out the importation of prohibited drugs at the border in order to help protect the community from their many harmful impacts,” A/g Inspector Turner said.
