Johnny Depp Could Get 10 Years In Prison For Smuggling Terriers

Johnny Depp could face a 10-year prison sentence for smuggling his two Yorkshire Terriers into Australia on his private jet, it’s emerged.

Government officials have confirmed the maximum punishment for flouting the country’s strict quarantine laws, after agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce forced the Hollywood star to take his dogs back to the US earlier this month.

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He could also face a maximum fine of $340,000 (about £171,000) for the bringing Pistol and Boo to work with him on the set of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’, which is shooting on the Gold Coast.

His pilot could get two years in prison for not declaring the canine cargo to authorities.

The Department of Agriculture is currently investigating how Depp broke the quarantine laws, with officials – some of whom described the situation as 'a complete balls up’ – meeting yesterday to discuss the matter.

It only came to light that Pistol and Boo were in Australia when they were taken to a dog grooming parlour, with pictures later being posted on social media.

It was then that the authorities became involved, with Joyce making his now world famous remarks about the incident.

“It’s time that Pistol and Boo buggered off back to the United States,” Joyce said.

“He [Depp] can put them on the same chartered jet he flew out on to fly them back out of our nation.”

Depp was given a deadline to get the dogs, which belong to him and his wife Amber Heard, out of Australia or have them put down.

It’s not known whether the incident has delayed production on the Disney blockbuster, which sees Depp reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow alongside Javier Bardem, Geoffrey Rush and 'Skins’ star Kaya Scodelario.

But perhaps there’s enough time to deal with such matters - it’s not due out until July 7, 2017.

Image credits: Yahoo/PA