Tuesday May 15, 2007

“Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone, has pleaded guilty to bringing banned body-building drugs into Australia earlier this year.

The actor (today) admitted to two charges of possession of a human growth hormone during a promotional visit for his then new film, Rocky Balboa back in February this year, at Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court through his lawyers, as he was not present at the hearing.

Upon arrival in Oz back in February, the Stallone and his entourage were detained for several hours for packing what was believed to be a human growth hormone, with officials later searching Stallone’s hotel room and private jet for illegal substances.

Sylvester initially told Australian newspaper “The Daily Telegraph” that the incident was a “misunderstanding” and that reports of him transporting steroids were “totally hot air”, however Australian customs officers said they found five boxes of growth hormone Jintropin in Stallone’s luggage on his arrival from the U.S.

If found guilty, the actor faces a fine of $22,000 – avoiding a maximum penalty of $91,600 for the offences because the case is being heard in a local court.

The growth hormone at the centee of the legal case is alleged to reduce body fat, build muscle, remove wrinkles and provide a range of anti-aging benefits.