Liliana Goodson’s ‘bizarre Google search’ before smuggling 24-carat gold gun into her flight luggage

An American backpacker who allegedly landed at Australia’s busiest international airport with a 24-carat gold-plated handgun worth $2,000 in her luggage Googled “can I have a gun in my suitcase?”, a court has been told.

Liliana Goodson appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday for a special hearing after pleading not guilty to two charges of wilfully importing prohibited goods, both firearms and ammunition.

The heavily tattooed American walked into court holding a stuffed animal and sporting new markings on her cheeks and chin.

The Florida woman was arrested at Sydney’s busy Kingsford Smith International Airport in April 2023 after officers attached to the Australian Border Force allegedly discovered the Colt-45-style pistol in her luggage.

Police say they detected the conspicuous pistol, which was not loaded, when it passed through the X-ray machine in the luggage of the 29-year-old man, who had recently arrived on an international flight from Los Angeles.

In her opening, the police prosecutor told Magistrate Susan Horan she would allege Ms Goodson had Googled “can I keep a gun in a suitcase?” and made notes on an app on her phone to similar or equal effect.

The court was told Ms Goodson intended to stay in Australia for a year and allegedly told ABF officers on arrival that the ammunition would arrive in Australia along with other belongings from the United States.

In her one-sentence opening brief, Ms Goodson’s lawyer told the court that “the issue in dispute” at the hearing would be that she “never intended to import a firearm”, stating that she suffered from drug and mental health problems.

The hearing will continue on Wednesday and is expected to hear evidence from Ms Goodson and members of the ABF.

More to come