An Australian man living in Thailand has been charged after he swallowed dozens of pellets of cocaine soon after landing at Sydney International Airport from Thailand.
A joint news release from the Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police said the 48-year-old man was charged with drug importation offenses for attempting to smuggle 2.4 pounds of cocaine internally.
CNN reported that the man told police he ingested numerous pellets of cocaine after passing through bag examination, but a spokesperson said they could not confirm the discussion.
The news release corroborated that same communication from the man to officers, however.
According to the release, after the man spoke with officers, he "subsequently passed 46 pellets containing approximately 460 grams of cocaine."
AFP took the man into custody and took him to the hospital where "64 pellets were located also containing cocaine," the release said.
"Importing drugs internally is extremely dangerous as it can lead to serious health risks and even death,” ABF Acting Cmdr. Lesley Dalton said in the release.
The man appeared in court Sunday and remained in custody after. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. He made an appearance in court Wednesday.
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