Stallone Charged with Importing Illegal Drug into Australia

Sylvester Stallone, best known for his work in the Rocky films, was formally charged in an Australian court on Tuesday with importing forty-eight vials of banned human growth hormone into the country. The Hollywood star was charged with one count of importing a prohibited import into the country.

Stallone was originally detained in Sydney on February 16. He was then in Australia to promote his latest Rocky opus, "Rocky Balboa."

According to customs officials, the vials of human growth hormone were found in the actor's luggage during a random bag check. After finding the first vials in the suitcase, the authorities then checked Stallone's hotel room, limousine and private jet where the remainder of the performance and image enhancing drug were found.

Stallone, who was not required to attend the initial hearing, will not be in court until April 24, when he will enter his plea. If found guilty, Stallone would normally face a maximum fine of $86,000 and a five year prison sentence. But because the charges are being taken care of in a local court, the maximum fine would be $22,000, although it is unlikely Stallone would face the maximum sentence.

At the time of the incident, Stallone seemed unconcerned about what had happened. "It was just a minor understanding," he said. "They were just doing their jobs. I just didn't understand some of the rules here."

The drugs in question were Jintropin, the brand name for a drug containing Somatropin, which is often used by body builders. According to court documents, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of Jintropin, and the drug has not been recognized as a treatment for any ailment.

"You have not been validly prescribed the goods by a medical practitioner for any medical condition suffered by you and for which the goods are recognized medical treatment," the court papers read.

The papers allege that Stallone circled the "no" box when asked if he was bringing any prohibited goods into the country. In Australia, "medicines, steroids, firearms, weapons, or any kind of illicit drugs," were all listed as banned goods.

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