WA couple jailed after inserting more than $100,000 worth of pellets of heroin in attempt to import into Perth

A West Australian man and woman will spend a combined 11 years in jail for importing heroin by inserting pellets of the illicit drugs into their bodies.

The man and woman, both 49, were sentenced in the Perth District Court earlier this week after they were caught at Perth Airport by Australian Border Force officers and the Australian Federal Police on February 14, 2024.

ABF officers examined their baggage and mobile phones when they arrived in Perth on Valentine’s Day on an international flight from Asia, which revealed photos of what was believed to be illegal drugs.

Scans identified the potential presence of internally concealed drugs, and AFP officers transported the pair to hospital for further tests.

The tests confirmed the presence of pellets in both of their bodies, with the man later excreting six pellets containing heroin with a pure weight of 86.3 grams.

The woman excreted seven pellets containing heroin with a pure weight of 95.8 grams.

The court was told the pair inserted the pellets in their bodies before leaving Asia.

The combined pure weight of the seized drugs was 182.1 grams, which could have been sold as 910 street deals and worth as much as $107,000.

The man was sentenced to seven years and four months imprisonment with a period of four years and six months.

The woman was sentenced to four years imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years and four months.

AFP Detective Sergeant Jason Hartley said criminal syndicates tried a variety of methods to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia.

“This matter should serve as a salient warning to the community: this is your drug supply chain in action,” he said.

“Illicit drugs are not produced in sterile environments, and they’re certainly not transported in hygienic conditions.

“Couriers are risking their own lives and face lengthy jail time if they are caught. It is just not worth it.”