Stallone charged with importing banned growth hormone

Sylvester Stallone speaks during a news conference in Paris in this Jan. 15, 2007, file photo. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, file)

Hollywood muscleman Sylvester Stallone was charged in an Australian court Tuesday with trying to import human growth hormone into the country.

The 60-year-old "Rocky" star was not in court when the Australian Customs Service accused him of trying to bring 48 vials of the banned muscle-building hormone into Australia when he visited last month.

Stallone was briefly detained after a search of his luggage at Sydney airport on February 19 as he arrived here to promote "Rocky Balboa", the latest instalment in his series about a Philadelphia boxer.

The maximum fine for the offence is 110,000 dollars (86,000 US dollars).

Magistrate David Heilern adjourned the case in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court for a plea on April 24.

Stallone will be excused from attending on that occasion if he is represented by his lawyer, Robert Todd, the national AAP news agency reported.

Local newspapers reported that officers raided the film star's hotel room and private jet after members of his entourage were spotted throwing items out of their hotel window after the incident at the airport.

Stallone was allowed to leave Australia, but customs officials said their investigation was continuing and they were aware of the actor's movements.