US tourist Liliana Goodson allegedly smuggled 24-karat gold pistol into Australia

Liliana Goodson was arrested at Sydney airport on the afternoon of April 23 after Australian Border Force allegedly found a golden handgun hidden in her hand luggage.

Police allege an X-ray machine at the busy airport detected the gun inside Ms Goodson’s hand luggage after she flew into the country from Los Angeles.

The weapon is a gold-plated Colt 45-style pistol with pearl inlay, which is estimated to be valued at more than $2000. It was not loaded when it was seized by the authorities.

ABF officials claim Ms Goodson does not have a permit to import or carry the gun, which is unregistered.

The 28-year-old was in custody for more than two weeks after she was charged with importing an unauthorised illegal firearm.

She was granted bail and released on May 8 on the condition that she deposit a surety of $10,000.

However, on Wednesday, Sydney Downing Centre Local Court was told the US citizen could be back behind bars within a week.

Commonwealth Crown prosecutor John Inan told the court that it had been nearly two months since Ms Goodson had lived at the address provided to the court.

“Yesterday we were informed the accused has not resided at (The Baxley Bondi) since 23 May,” he said.

The alleged gun smuggler was due to appear in the Local Court on Wednesday morning to apply to change her listed address from the boutique hotel to Bondi Beach Backpackers.

However, neither she nor her lawyer Bryan Wrench appeared in court and the application was dismissed.

Mr Inan told the court the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions would be making an application to detain the 28-year-old within the next week.

Ms Goodson was previously warned she could lose her bail conditions if she did not pay the $10,000 in the given timeframe.

She had struggled to access her finances due to difficulties with international banking, the court was previously told.

As part of her bail conditions, the colourfully decorated tourist was forced to surrender the passport she used to enter the country and is prohibited from applying for a replacement.

If convicted of the offence, Ms Goodson is facing a maximum of 10 years behind bars.

She is also facing the possibility of visa cancellation or deportation if found guilty.