US national charged in Australia with internally concealing 109 drug pellets

A 54-year-old US national faced court in Australia on Tuesday, accused of internally concealing 109 pellets of amphetamine at Melbourne Airport.

Arriving from India, Border Force (ABF) officers selected the man for a full baggage examination, frisk search and non-medical body scan on Saturday morning.

When the results came back inconclusive, Australian Federal Police (AFP) took the man to the Royal Melbourne Hospital Emergency Department for a CT scan which positively identified foreign pellets inside of his body.

"Internal drug concealments like this are a great example of how effective targeting, intuition and skill of our ABF officers play a critical role in detecting drug smuggling efforts," ABF Regional Commander Craig Palmer said.

"This detection should serve as a warning to criminal groups that no matter where or how you attempt to conceal your drugs, the ABF will be waiting."

Charged with one count of importing a border controlled substance and one count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled substance, AFP Commander of Crime Operations Jason Williams said, "this detection will have a significant impact on organized crime in Melbourne and a substantial disruption effect on Victoria's drug supply."

"This arrest is yet another strong warning to criminals -- if you participate in illegal activities, law enforcement will catch, arrest and prosecute you," he added.

If found guilty, the man could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the Australian law.