Sylvester Stallone: Charged

Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone was charged with one count of importing a banned substance into Australia with him on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles. He has been charged after 48 vials of human growth hormone were found in his possession on Tuesday.

The human growth hormone that Stallone has been charged with illegally importing is frequently referred to as HGH. It is commonly used by the bodybuilding set. The human growth hormone is supposedly used to counteract muscle wastage.

The growth hormone drug he was found to be carrying into Australia is known as Jintropin. The hormone drug is not a drug yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The medical community as a treatment for any physical condition also does not recognize it.

Stallone was detained on February16 at Sydney Airport when customs officers allegedly found the hormone substance in his luggage. Apparently, Stallone was believed to have checked the "no" box on his customs form suggesting that he was not bringing with him or within his luggage restricted or prohibited goods such as "medicines, steroids, firearms or any kind of illicit drugs."

The 60-year-old Rocky star was in Australia to promote his critically acclaim last installment of the Rocky franchise calledBalboa. Australian authorities searched Stallone's hotel room at the waterfront Park Hyatt Sydney. The hotel search took place three days after which he and his entourage were already cleared to leave Australia.

Stallone represented by attorney Robert Todd will not appear at his hearing in Downing Centre Local Court. Attorney Robert Todd is said to be looking into the case being adjourned and requested time to collect more materials. Todd has been ordered to enter a plea on behalf of Stallone by April 24. Stallone has described the incident and subsequent charges as a grave misunderstanding.