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SYDNEY - Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone has pleaded guilty to bringing vials of human growth hormone into Australia.
Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court has been told Stallone admitted two charges of importing a prohibited import when he arrived at Sydney airport from the US in February.
A previous court hearing was told vials of Jintropin were found in five boxes during a routine X-ray of the 60-year-old's personal luggage when he arrived at the airport on February 16.
Jintropin is the brand name for a drug whose active ingredient, Somatropin, is a human growth hormone that can assist bodybuilders.
Australian laws prohibit the importation of natural and manufactured growth hormones without a permit.
Stallone left Australia on February 19 after promoting his new film Rocky Balboa. He was excused from appearing at today's hearing.
Court documents say the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved Jintropin and that the drug is not a recognised treatment for any medical condition.
The maximum fine for the offence is $US110,000, ($NZ150,990) but Stallone faces a maximum penalty of $22,000 because the charge is being dealt with in a local court.
- AAP
