Sylvester Stallone has been charged with importing a banned substance into Australia.

The Rocky Balboa star was stopped last month by officials at Sydney airport after the human growth hormone was found in his luggage.

Australian customs reportedly found 48 bottles of the illegal substance - first by searching Stallone's bags and then later upon conducting a raid of his hotel room.

The hormone is considered to be a performance enhancing drug in Australia.

The maximum penalty for possession of the hormone is a fine of approximately £40,000 and a five year jail sentence.

Stallone was not at the court hearing for the charge.