The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is warning people considering acting as an internal drug courier that they are not only risking imprisonment, but also death or serious injury.Since December 2008, the AFP has charged 77 people for importing drugs via internal concealment, and is concerned that couriers see this as a legitimate way to smuggle drugs, despite the consequences of possible emergency surgery and long term health problems.

Over a number of years the AFP has seen a variety of dangerous concealments where couriers have swallowed or concealed drugs internally and the materials used to wrap the package have ruptured, leaked or disintegrated inside their body - leading to an extremely high risk of death.

In one instance, a woman required dangerous emergency surgery after she was found to have four soft drink can-sized objects inside her body, two of which had turned horizontally and obstructed her bowels.

On another occasion, a male courier died after one of the 29 pellets he swallowed ruptured, resulting in a fatal cocaine overdose.

Internal drug couriers should be aware that regardless of their medical condition, they will be charged for trafficking drugs and face severe penalties either in Australia or in the countries they transit.

AFP Superintendent Crime Operations Stephan Obers said those who engage in this illegal activity put their lives in danger with every pellet they swallow or conceal.

"In the vast majority of these matters, the drugs involved are heroin or cocaine and can be up to 90 per cent pure. If only one pellet with a few grams of these drugs ruptures inside a person, they are looking at a fatal overdose," Superintendent Obers said.

"Sometimes a person is fortunate enough to undergo emergency surgery, but these procedures are very traumatic and invasive, and can lead to life-long complications, such as the need for colostomy bags and dialysis.

"Internal concealment demonstrates what an evil trade drug trafficking is. It shows the desperate measures people will take, to the extent of risking their own life, to smuggle illicit drugs."

In the past two years, more than 70 per cent of drugs smuggled via internal concealment were found to be heroin, while 23 per cent was cocaine. Couriers have also been caught carrying ecstasy tablets and cannabis.

Federal Australian Medical Association Vice President Dr Steve Hambleton emphasised the health risks associated with people smuggling drugs inside their body.

"Drugs are lethal in overdose and will be rapidly absorbed into your body."

"In the past, concealments have failed with deadly consequences as medical rescue is usually too late to help, or fails due to the massive doses delivered to the body." Dr Hambleton said.

The maximum penalty for smuggling drugs into Australia internally is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

"I urge people who may be considering acting as a drug courier to think again. This crime is just not worth the risk," Superintendent Obers said.