Woman in court over smuggling charges - Breaking News - Sydney Morning ... - Sydney Morning Herald

AAP

A woman charged with drug smuggling and caught as part of a police sting at Sydney Airport has appeared in court, supported by businessman Jim Byrnes.

Krystal Hill, 27, appeared at Sydney Central Local Court on Thursday morning charged with importing a commercial quantity of pseudoephedrine into Australia.

She is one of eight people, including Customs and quarantine officials, arrested as the result of a two-year investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) into corruption at Sydney Airport.

The court heard that Mr Byrnes, who was present for the hearing, had offered to provide a $20,000 surety for Hill.

It is understood Hill was an employee of a public relations firm that did work for Mr Byrnes' company Philippine Limousines.

Magistrate Beverley Schurr granted bail, subject to police checks into the $20,000 surety.

It is understood the alleged offences Hill is charged with took place in June 2009.

Commonwealth prosecutor Christina Choi argued against bail, telling the court that Hill had been recruited by a man named Joseph Harb and promised $10,000 to smuggle pseudoephedrine from Thailand to Australia with an unnamed accomplice.

Ms Choi said Hill was able to get the controlled substance through Customs control points at Sydney Airport because she had a relationship with someone there.

She had been detected as a result of police probes into corruption at the airport, she said.

The court heard Hill had been in a relationship with Mr Harb, whom the court was told bought 10kg of pseudoephedrine on a trip to Thailand.

Hill's lawyer, Wayne Baffsky, told the court the case against her was not strong.

He said there was no evidence that Hill had intended to import the substance for the purpose of manufacture, and that the crown's case relied heavily on what they had been told by Mr Harb.

"There is nothing to support ... anything that this man says," Mr Baffsky told the court.

Mr Baffsky said that for 12 years Hill had been a makeup artist and professional dancer who often travelled overseas for work.

Hill will have to report daily to Rose Bay Police Station, not go within 500 metres of an international point of departure, not leave NSW, and not contact any witnesses, including Mr Harb.

Hill, who appeared in court wearing a leather jacket and with her blonde hair pulled back off her face, cried at times.

The hearing continues at 3pm (AEDT) on Thursday.