Australians fined for smuggling Thai steroids in their underwear.

Two New South Wales men have been collectively fined $19,000 for illegally importing performance and image enhancing drugs, and a laser pointer, into Sydney International Airport. On 14 April 2012, two travelling companions arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Thailand. Both men were selected for examination by Customs and Border Protection officers. During the examinations, officers found more than 2,900 performance and image enhancing drugs concealed in each man’s pants. Officers also uncovered an illegal laser pointer concealed in one man’s luggage. It is illegal to import these items without a permit. On Tuesday 11 December 2012, both men appeared in separate hearings at Downing Centre Local Court, where they were each convicted for importing prohibited items, namely an anabolic or androgenic substance, and for making a false statement. A conviction was also recorded for one of the men for importing a prohibited item, namely a laser pointer. The first man was fined a total of $10,000, plus court costs for the importation of the performance and image enhancing drugs and laser pointer. The second man was fined $9,000, plus court costs. Customs and Border Protection Director Investigations NSW Tony McSweeney, said that the attempted importation of such substances without a permit just isn’t worth it. “Some people think that these drugs will enhance their physical appearance, but being arrested and fined $19,000 doesn’t make you look good.” Mr McSweeney said. The maximum penalty for the importation of steroids is five years imprisonment and/or a $110,000 fine. The fine will increase to a maximum of $170,000 for offences committed after 28 December 2012. TWO men have been fined a total of $19,000 for illegally importing performance and body-enhancing steroids into Sydney in their underpants. They were found to have more than 2900 tablets concealed in their briefs when Customs and Border Protection officers searched them as they returned from Thailand in April. One of the men, who are both aged 21 and from Sydney, also had an illegal laser pointer hidden in his luggage, the officers found. Tony McSweeney, NSW director of investigations at Customs and Border Protection, said it was not worth trying to import steroids without a permit. "Some people think that these drugs will enhance their physical appearance, but being arrested and fined $19,000 doesn't make you look good," he said. The two men faced separate hearings at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court this week and were convicted for importing prohibited items and making false statements, Customs said. The man with the laser pointer was also convicted for that offence and was fined $10,000 plus court costs. His travelling companion was fined $9,000, plus court costs.