A man accused of hiding cocaine-filled Kinder Surprise capsules inside his body is now in jail.
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Police have slammed the man's "idiotic" act after he was caught at Melbourne International Airport after arriving on a flight from the Middle East last month.
The 28-year-old Irish man is alleged to have internally concealed 120 grams of cocaine inside six Kinder Surprise capsules.
The man's bags were examined when he arrived in Australia on December 28, with this luggage allegedly returning a positive result for cocaine.
He was then taken to hospital for a CT scan.
"He later excreted six yellow plastic capsules that allegedly contained about 120 grams of cocaine," the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force said in a joint statement.
The man was charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug.
He was remanded in custody and will reappear in court in March. If convicted he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail.
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"Smuggling drugs internally is idiotic," AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Salmon said.
"There is the real risk that something could go wrong, resulting in a potentially fatal drug overdose or permanent damage to internal organs."
ABF Acting Superintendent Aviation Travellers, Ian Beasant, said it wasn't worth "risking your health by attempting to internally transport drugs".
"ABF officers are highly trained in detection and will ensure that you are stopped at the border," he said.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
Nadine Morton
I report on crime, emergency services and police matters. Email me on nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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