Italian faces $1.1m cocaine import charges
An Italian woman has allegedly imported five kilograms of cocaine worth $1.1 million into Australia in a bag with a false bottom.
Elisa Salatino, 39, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, after Australian Border Force officials allegedly uncovered the drug concealed in one of her bags.
She arrived at Melbourne Airport on a flight from Rome on Sunday.
The bag had been fitted with a false bottom made out of a piece of plywood, the Australian Federal Police will allege.
She has been charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Further tests will be conducted to determine the exact weight and purity of the substance.
Salatino is due to return to Melbourne Magistrates' Court on May 22.
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