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Schapelle Corby Lands In Australia To Media Circus

She is now on Instagram
The now-39-year-old Schapelle Corby was convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia in 2005
Supplied
The now-39-year-old Schapelle Corby was convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia in 2005

There were plane swaps, a social media campaign, and a media swarm. Schapelle Corby's homecoming was never going to be low key.

13 years after being caught with a boogie board bag containing more than 4 kgs of marijuana at Bali's Denpasa airport, Corby arrived back in Australia on Sunday morning, after being deported from Indonesia.

To avoid the media contingent following her transition, Corby was swapped to a Malindo Air Flight landing in Brisbane at 5:09am, rather than the Virgin Flight she had been expected to fly on.

Her disembarkment took less than 30 minutes, as she was allowed to leave the plane before other passengers, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.

They left the airport in a convoy of cars which then split off into three different directions.

One car went to the Sofitel Hotel, another to Corby's mother's residence, and another towards the Gold Coast, according to Nine News.

Her current whereabouts remain unknown.

It was her security detail who made a statement on behalf of a family member, thanking supporters for their well wishes.

Corby, now aged 39, has not spoken to the press, but made her own statement as she left her Bali home holding a handbag with a picture of missing toddler William Tyrrell on it.

The Tyrrell case was one of the most high profile missing persons case from 2014, when the three year old was abducted in Kendall, New South Wales.

Corby's deportation from Indonesia was complete with a heavy security presence and a media frenzy, with journalists jumping hoops to obtain footage of Corby leaving her Kuta compound.

Arrival to parole went smoothly.

A post shared by Schapellecorby (@schapelle.corby) on

Although Corby's mother, Rosleigh Rose, said no media deal has been done for Schapelle's return to Australia, a crime expert has indicated the family can cash in on her story.

Christain Juebner told AAP while Corby can't make money as a result of her notoriety, her family can.

"If, ultimately, it's proved that the money flowed back to Schapelle Corby or she received some benefit ... then the restraining order (on the funds) could be made," he said.

"Schapelle Corby can't make money arising from her offending ... but other people can."

Authorities are expected to keep a close watch on the whereabouts of media payouts.

Corby cannot benefit from funds made from her story.
Jason Reed / Reuters
Corby cannot benefit from funds made from her story.

In 2006, Corby co-wrote an account of her life in Kerobokan prison, My Story.

Her family pocketed more than $250,000 but the Commonwealth recovered $128,000 in proceeds that were provided to Corby from publication.

Corby started an Instagram account before her deportation, which tracks her movements from Indonesia to Australia.

It has amassed more than 100,000 followers in less than 24 hours.

Almost at the airport.. with my @mercedescorby

A post shared by Schapellecorby (@schapelle.corby) on

Boarded

A post shared by Schapellecorby (@schapelle.corby) on

Users are commenting supportive messages.

One user commented, "You're an incredibly strong, brave woman. You could probably teach a lot of people a thing or two about resilience".

Another said, "God speed. Stay strong in body,mind and soul. May the sun shine eternally on your soul. Don't let any trolls bring you down".

More to come.

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