Heard alleges Customs officers more interested in photos and autographs than checking Johnny Depp’s luggage

DEPARTMENT denies Heard’s claim officials were more interested in posing for photos with her and Johnny Depp than asking if they had anything to declare.

STARSTRUCK Customs officials were more interested in asking Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard for selfies and autographs than if they had any items to declare when they arrived in Brisbane on a private charter flight last year.

In an affidavit tendered to Southport Magistrates Court, Ms Heard, who was charged with breaching quarantine laws by not declaring her pet terriers Pistol and Boo, says she was not asked any questions about anything she “had brought into the country” when she and her husband were “processed by Customs officials” in the terminal.

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Johnny Depp and actress Amber Heard attend a movie premiere where they are photographed by awaiting media. Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

“To my recollection, I was not asked about any of the questions or answers on the (arrival) card,” she says in the affidavit.

“At no time did anyone raise any issue with me in relation to the dogs.

“I do remember in the arrivals lounge that many of the officials and staff present in the lounge requested photographs and autographs of myself and Johnny.”

Ms Heard says in the affidavit, “I expect that I completed a card for myself and for Johnny because of his injury to his hand”.

“I cannot now recall whether there were one or two cards I completed, although I am aware from the brief of evidence that there were separate cards for each of us,” she said.

“I understand there is evidence to the effect that I completed the cards in the terminal.

“I accept that may be the case and my memory might be faulty about this.”

Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard appear in Southport Court. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

However, a Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokesman said Ms Heard’s claim was not true.

“These allegations have been investigated and there is no truth to these claims,” the spokesman said.

The then Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) managed the passenger processing for Depp and Heard when they entered the country in 2015.

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, asked for a report from Customs and Border Protection in the wake of Pistol and Boo’s undetected arrival on a private charter flight into Brisbane.

A review of practices and procedures related to the couple’s processing found they were “appropriately processed” by ACBPS officers and that the actions taken were “consistent with standard operating procedures”.

“As a result of this review, no changes to practices and procedures were required,” a Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokesman said.

The 40-second video by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard rivals Lara Bingle’s “Where the bloody hell are you?” for putting Australia on the world stage.

A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources said Ms Heard had admitted in court she falsely declared that she was not carrying live animals when she entered Australia.

“The investigation determined the dogs were concealed in a bag while disembarking from the plane,” the spokesman said, after Ms Heard pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday to a breach of quarantine laws.

Actress Amber Heard. Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources assesses all passengers entering Australia — including those who arrive on non-regular public transport flights such as private jets.

“With 18 million people arriving in the country each year, or 49,000 every single day, it’s impossible to physically search each and every one,” the spokesman said.

“While we have a range of methods to detect concealment and deliberate noncompliance, we also rely on people doing the right thing and we are not afraid to pursue those who do not.”

The spokesman said dogs don’t arrive in Australia illegally very often.

“On average, less than once a year,” the spokesman said.

“About 3500 dogs are legally imported into Australia each year.”

All cats and dogs entering Australia have to stay in a government quarantine facility for 10 days after arrival once they have satisfied all pre-arrival requirements.

The 10 day stay is designed to help manage the risk to Australia from potentially fatal diseases other than rabies — diseases such as ehrlichiosis and leishmania that may not have been clinically obvious in the animal before it was exported.

Screen grab of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard speaking for an Australian Biosecurity video.

Johnny Depp meets fans in Queensland after a day filming Pirates of the Caribbean. Picture: Peter Wallis

Mr Dutton told The Bulletin last year all international flights arriving in Australia were subject to Customs and Border Protection clearance.

“Private jets are no exception,” he said.

“My expectation is that normal clearance procedures apply to all aircraft and passengers coming to Australia, whether they are movie stars or on scheduled commercial flights.”

Minister for Agriculture and Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce comments on the Depp dogs Pistol and Boo court decision. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

The number of private international flights that arrive and depart Brisbane and Gold Coast Airport each week varies depending on factors such as what events are being staged.

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp kisses a fan who waited several hours to see him at The Spit after filming of the Pirates of the Caribbean, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

On average, about 150 private flights arrive at Gold Coast Airport each year, with anywhere from two to eight biosecurity officers on duty at any given time for matters relating to both commercial and charter flights.

About 300 private flights arrive at Brisbane International Airport each year, with anywhere from 12 to 24 biosecurity officers on duty at any given time.