NSW man may face death penalty in Vietnam October 31, 2013 - 7:40PM Leather strips used by two Australians to conceal 3.5 kg of heroin that were seized by Vietnam customs officers Photo: AFP An Australian man could face the death penalty in Vietnam after being charged with drug trafficking. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Thursday confirmed the arrest of the 31-year-old from NSW, who has not been named, on drug trafficking charges in Ho Chi Minh City on October 22. A 24-year-old woman from NSW was also arrested but has since been released, the spokesperson said. An Agence France-Presse report on Wednesday cited a Vietnamese drug squad officer as saying the man was allegedly caught with 3.5 kilograms of heroin in hidden luggage compartments at Ho Chi Minh City airport. The drugs were hidden in 11 packages which had been treated to avoid detection by sniffer dogs, the state-run Thanh Nien newspaper reported. Officials from the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City have been granted access to the man and will meet with him this week, the DFAT spokesperson said. DFAT said Australians should be reminded of the very stiff penalties facing anyone caught carrying drugs overseas. Vietnam takes a hardline, with anyone who attempts to smuggle more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine risking the death penalty.