SYDNEY, Australia  — 
Customs officers discovered nearly 300 grams (10.5 ounces) of ecstasy tablets
hidden inside a Mr. Potato Head toy sent to Australia from Ireland, the agency
said Thursday.

Upon opening the parcel, the officers were greeted with the smiling face of the
popular children's toy, which features a potato-like head and removable facial
features. But when they removed a panel from the back of the toy, the officers
found 293 grams (10.34 ounces) of ecstasy in a plastic bag.

The Australian Customs Service referred the matter to federal police, but no
arrests were immediately made, the agency said. The maximum penalty for
importing drugs to Australia is life imprisonment.

"Whilst this is one of the more unusual concealments that we have seen in recent
times, people need to be aware that Customs officers are alert to unusual and
often outlandish methods of concealment," Customs Director Post Karen Williams
said in the statement.

- Associated Press