Stallone's Plane Searched in Australia

The Associated Press
Monday, February 19, 2007; 8:33 AM

SYDNEY, Australia -- Australian customs officials searched Sylvester Stallone's hotel room and private jet on Monday, three days after seizing banned substances from the muscle-bound actor's entourage as he arrived for a promotional tour, a news report said.

Stallone was not stopped from leaving Australia, where he spent the weekend promoting his latest movie, "Rocky Balboa," after officials searched his plane on the tarmac at Sydney airport on Monday, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph reported, without citing sources.


U.S. director and actor Sylvester Stallone poses for photographers as he arrives for the British premiere of his latest film 'Rocky Balboa' at a cinema in central London's Leicester Square in this Tuesday Jan. 16, 2007 file photo. Stallone was detained for hours on arrival at Sydney Airport after officials found prohibited imports in his luggage and that of his entourage.
U.S. director and actor Sylvester Stallone poses for photographers as he arrives for the British premiere of his latest film 'Rocky Balboa' at a cinema in central London's Leicester Square in this Tuesday Jan. 16, 2007 file photo. Stallone was detained for hours on arrival at Sydney Airport after officials found prohibited imports in his luggage and that of his entourage. "That was just a misunderstanding," Stallone told reporters Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at the Sydney premier of the latest in his series of six boxing movies, "Rocky Balboa." (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, FILE) (Lefteris Pitarakis - AP)

Officials are still examining substances collected from Stallone's entourage to determine whether further action would be taken, the newspaper reported.

Stallone and several people traveling with him were detained for several hours at Sydney airport on Friday as they arrived. Australian Customs Service national investigations manager Richard Janeczko said some contraband items were taken, but didn't identify them.

Stallone initially said the detention on Friday was the result of a misunderstanding on his part, then later refused to answer questions about the incident.

In addition to illicit drugs, Australia prohibits the unlicensed importation of a wide range of steroids and performance-enhancing substances for sporting use. Penalties for possession of such substances can range from fines to prison terms.


© 2007 The Associated Press