Customs and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have stopped an alleged attempt by an American woman to internally smuggle drugs into Australia.Customs officers at Sydney Airport selected for a baggage examination a 29-year-old United States citizen after she arrived on a flight from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.During questioning, Customs officers became suspicious that she may be carrying drugs.

The woman was then referred to the AFP and transferred to hospital for a medical examination.At the weekend, she allegedly passed some 57 pellets containing approximately 456 grams of drugs.

Forensic testing will be carried out to determine the precise nature of the drugs.The woman has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to the Criminal Code Act 1995.She appeared briefly in Parramatta Local Court yesterday where she was remanded in custody to appear in Sydney's Central Local Court on Thursday (24 January).

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment.