Malaysian Woman Found with Heroin at Cairns International Airport

Joo Lee Tan, a Malaysian woman of 39 years, faced the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday, August 18th for importing heroin in a commercial quantity, which was found hidden in the bottoms of 2 of her bags. The Malaysian woman flew from Hong Kong the day before, arriving at the Cairns International Airport. An x-ray showed that there were possible narcotic concealments in her luggage, so customs officers searched the woman’s bags. Two of the bags were drilled into by officers where they allegedly found white powder, of which initial tests revealed was heroin. Joo Lee Tan was then taken to the Australian Federal Police to undergo further investigation.

Joo Lee Tan was carrying about 6 kilograms worth of heroin, and the luggage is undergoing forensic testing right now in order to confirm that it is in fact heroin and to determine exactly how much there is, as well has the drug’s purity. The woman has been charged with possessing and importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs that tests initially identified to be heroin, which is contrary to the Criminal Code Act of 1995. The maximum penalty for her offense is either life in prison and/or a fine of 825,000 dollars. The case, however, has been adjourned and will continue again on August 28th. Joo Lee Tan will remain in the custody of police until then.

Learn more at: www.cairnsport.com.au/airport