Liliana Goodson tried to smuggle a 24-karat gold-plated pistol into Australia in her luggage. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
An American traveller has been jailed for smuggling a 24-karat gold-plated gun worth $2000 into Australia in her hand luggage.
Liliana Goodson, 29, faced Sydney Downing Centre Court on Monday after pleading guilty to two charges of intentionally importing a prohibited firearm and prohibited ammunition.
She was arrested at Sydney airport on April 23 last year after Australian Border Force officers discovered a Colt 45-style pistol hidden in her hand luggage.
The weapon was seized after it passed through an X-ray machine at the busy airport.
US resident Liliana Goodson has been jailed for importing a gun into Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
When Australian Border Force officers asked if there was anything in her bag they should know about, she replied “maybe some scissors”.
She was then asked if she had a gun and replied: “Oh yeah I forgot about that.”
Goodson told officers she “wasn’t sure” if she had ammunition in her bag.
However, she had shipped ammunition to Australia on consignment, but it was the wrong calibre for her handgun.
The US resident was due to be sentenced last month but the decision was adjourned to allow her to obtain evidence of her sobriety.
The gun was plated with 24-karat gold.
Magistrate Susan Horen sentenced Goodson to 12 months imprisonment and ordered she be released after four months.
“To have the entirety of the sentence served in the community would not adequately reflect the severity of the offence nor would it serve the community,” she said.
“Australia has a strong stance against firearms. The need for deterrence is substantial.”
The tourist has been ordered to be of good behaviour for the next two years.
The heavily tattooed woman appeared uncomfortable as she was directed to hand over her jewellery before being taken into custody.
More to come