Sydney Airport Steroid Bust Involving Steroids Smuggled from Lebanon
February 19, 2009 by Millard Baker
An Australian woman and a Lebanese man were arrested at the Sydney Airport after attempting to smuggle a substantial amount of anabolic steroids. The man and woman arrived in Sydney on two separate flights from Lebanon on February 17th and February 18th, respectively. Australian Customs and Border Protection discovered a total of almost 3,000 ampoules of injectable testosterone enanthate manufactured by the Aburaihan Company (Iran) and almost 5,000 oral steroid tablets in their luggage. The steroids were hidden inside an “art clock” that resembled a very large mobile telephone that was branded with NOKNA instead of NOKIA. A customs official claimed that the two cases are completely unrelated (”Man and woman arrested over smuggling steroids into Sydney,” February 19).
A 33-year-old Australian woman arrived at Sydney airport yesterday and a search of her luggage allegedly revealed 2,205 vials of testosterone and 4,800 tablets. [...]
Her arrest followed that of a 32-year-old Lebanese man who arrived at Sydney airport from Lebanon on Tuesday.
Customs alleged 497 vials of testosterone were detected in his luggage after he arrived on a flight from Lebanon.
Australian customs spokesperson reminds the media that protecting the Australian border from anabolic steroids is a high priority for the Australian government agency (”Two steroid arrests at Sydney airport,” February 19).
Customs and Border Protection National Manager Investigations, Richard Janeczko, said there had been an increase in such smuggling attempts and Customs and Border Protection continues to protect Australian borders from prohibited imports including steroids.
“Stopping the smuggling of performance and image enhancing drugs at the border and investigating and prosecuting those involved continues to be a high priority for Customs and Border Protection,” Mr Janeczko said.
Pictures courtesy Australian Customs.
