British man, 52, arrested at Melbourne Airport after ‘trying to smuggle 280 grams of cocaine in his stomach’ from LA
Australian cops say he was found to have swallowed 39 pellets containing the Class A drugs
A BRITSH man has been arrested after allegedly being caught trying to smuggle cocaine into Australia in his stomach.
The 52-year-old was stopped by suspicious Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Melbourne International Airport after arriving on a flight from Los Angeles.
After being examined, cops say he was revealed to have swallowed 39 pellets containing approximately 280 grams of cocaine.
He was then transported to hospital by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers for further testing.
ABF regional commander James Watson said the force have sophisticated technology to detect those trying to smuggle drugs inside their body.
And he said his officers are experts at identifying a range of concealment methods, which he warned were “highly dangerous” for drugs mules.
Commander Watson said: "The individual has put his own life at risk through this highly dangerous method of attempting to smuggle narcotics.
"Even though the man has survived this dangerous method of importation, he now faces very serious charges which could result in penalties of up to 25 years in jail."
AFP Commander Paul Osborne said the AFP and its partners will continue to work closely together to disrupt drug imports into the country.
He said: "It is disappointing to continue to see the extent to which individuals will go to import drugs into Australia.
"Not only are they putting their own lives at risk, they are endangering the lives of others with the product they are looking to sell."
The accused man has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug.
He is set to appear in Melbourne magistrates court on 14 December 2016.
The latest case comes after two Canadian women were arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle £17million worth of cocaine into Australia on a luxury cruise ship.
Isabelle Lagacé, 28 - who was revealed to have a secret porn star past - and her co-accused Melina Roberge, 22, are set to appear in court in Sydney in October.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368