Apart from his reputation as an actor, Sylvester Stallone also made headlines for his notorious case of illegally importing human growth hormones into Australia. While the country is known for imposing a ban on such drugs, Stallone failed to present a valid prescription when he was convicted of importing the human growth hormone, Jintropin.
Found guilty of bringing in 48 vials of the drug into Australia, the Hollywood action hero was ordered to pay $13K in fines and costs. Sylvester Stallone was also found guilty of disposing of a few vials of the drug before authorities could properly search him. Later he was presented to the court and even pleaded guilty.
Sylvester Stallone Imported Illegal Drugs Into Australia
Back in 2007, Sylvester Stallone was caught by customs officers at Sydney airport after the actor was found illegally importing 48 vials of human growth hormone into Australia. While the country had imposed a strict ban on such drugs, the Hollywood action hero tried bringing in the growth hormones during his promotional trip.
The actor even failed to procure a valid prescription for his drugs (Jintropin) upon his arrival to the country. Further, Stallone was also found importing testosterone for his use, into Australia. Evidently, the actor was prescribed the prohibited age-altering drugs to stay in good shape for his movie Rambo.
“This stuff gives your body a boost and you feel and look good. Doing Rambo is hard work, and I am going to be in Burma for a while. Where do you think I am going to get this stuff in Burma?” Sylvester Stallone declared during his customs interview.
However, despite his explanation, when the actor failed to provide a valid prescription for the illegal drugs, he was taken to court. During his three days visit to Australia, Sylvester Stallone was charged with importing illegal substances.
Sylvester Stallone Pleaded Guilty Of Importing Jintropin
The Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone was presented to the court after he was convicted of importing Jintropin and testosterone into Australia. He was charged after customs officers found 48 vials of the growth hormone in his luggage. He was also accused of disposing of four vials of testosterone from his hotel balcony before authorities could search.
Presented to the court without valid prescription, a judge in the state of New South Wales, ordered him to pay $13,000 (£5,400) in fines and costs. Stallone later stated that although he didn’t have a prescription, he was legally taking the drugs under medical supervision. Further, the actor also apologized to authorities for his “terrible mistake”.
“He has shown contrition, he has expressed his remorse. I don’t think there is anything further the court could or should do in order to deter Mr Stallone from committing these offences again.” deputy chief magistrate Paul Cloran declared at the court.
However, later it was revealed that the actor had been “untruthful” regarding his legal use under medical supervision. It was procured that Jintropin is not legally available for sale, even in the US. Yet, while the maximum penalty stood at $110,000 in fine and 5 years in prison, Sylvester Stallone faced a lesser penalty for both, since the case was dealt with locally and not at a federal court.
Source: Guardian
