CANBERRA: Australia customs arrested a Birmingham woman with illicit liquid cocaine. She was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment because she had not previously been in trouble with the police and had co-operated with investigating officers.
An Australian Federal Police spokesman said that Habib’s first-time offence was far from unique.
“We often find criminals attempting to smuggle drugs in liquid form, whether that be in bottles of wine or shampoo,” he said.
“Fortunately, the drug was detected by a dog trained to do just that. The AFP is very experienced in locating illegal drugs.“Obviously we don’t catch everyone – that’s not possible – but most of the time we are successful in preventing the entry of prohibited drugs into Australia.”
The spokesman confirmed Habib had not received the maximum sentence because she had co-operated with the police in the main and her previous good character was taken into consideration.
Announcing the verdict, sentencing judge Stephen Norrish said: “She is certainly old enough to know better but in this case she has co-operated with us and had no prior criminal convictions.
“These are factors the court took into account before delivering its verdict.
“Her sentence also includes a remission for the twelve months she has already served on remand.”
Australian immigration authorities are expected to deport Habib back to the UK after she completes her sentence.
More than 850 Britons are currently locked up in overseas prisons for drug-related offences, some serving sentences of up to 39 years, while many still wait for their cases to come to court.
