A PREGNANT Gold Coast mum who tried to smuggle more than 10,000 tablets of a restricted drug through Brisbane's International Airport strapped to her belly has avoided an immediate jail term.
Mother-of-two Milka Bracanovic was jailed for 12-months, but released immediately on a good behaviour bond, for importing almost 1kg of over-the-counter cold and flu tablets containing pre-cursor drugs used to make illegal amphetamines on Christmas Eve 2011.
The Brisbane District Court was told a heavily pregnant Bracanovic and her drug addict boyfriend, Matthew John Perry, both then aged 34, tried to smuggle about 30,000 tablets into Australia after enjoying a short vacation in Thailand.
Prosecutor Bill Ferguson said when confronted by Australian Customs officials upon arrival in Brisbane via a direct flight from Thailand, Bracanovic admitted she had 10,160 pills concealed in a "body pack" strapped to her stomach.
Mr Ferguson said officers also found a further two packages - containing less than 10,000 pills each - hidden in Perry and Bracanovic's luggage.
The court was told Perry - who was last year sentenced to one year's jail - immediately claimed the drugs were his and that he had forced his girlfriend, Bracanovic, to carry the tablets for him.
Mr Ferguson said the couple claimed the 30,000 tablets had been purchased to feed Perry's addiction to cold and flu tablets.
However, the court was told Supreme Court Justice Jean Dalton rejected that submission during Perry's sentencing hearing, saying the quantity suggested was more likely for use in the illicit production of amphetamines, known in drug circles as "speed."
Barrister John Jacob, for Bracanovic, said his client is currently pregnant with her third child.
Bracanovic, 35, of Runaway Bay, on Thursday pleaded guilty to one count of importing a tier one border control substance.
The court was told Perry was jailed after pleading guilty to importing 1.4kg of the drug.
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