A MAN who is believed to have co-ordinated the importation of gamma-butyrolactone via air cargo has been charged in Western Australia.
Australian Federal Police officers arrested the man (39) in Mandurah, WA on 30 May 2023 after he allegedly organised the importation of 3.4 kilograms of the drug two years ago.
He is the third person to be arrested because of the investigation; police believe he facilitated the purchase and delivery of the drugs.
Australian Border Force officers at a Perth air-cargo facility noticed anomalies in a consignment from China in 2021.
Further inspection revealed 250 small bottles in the consignment labelled as “eyelash remover” that contained the gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).
Authorities estimate the 3.4 kilograms of GBL had a “street value” of $69,000 and could have been sold in more than 1000 individual street deals.
AFP investigators replaced the drugs with inert substance before delivering it to an address in Kensington.
AFP officers then arrested a Kensington woman (28) who is believed to have collected the consignment and delivered it to a St James man (43).
The man and woman were arrested and charged with importing a border controlled substance. Both are currently before the courts.
ABF Superintendent James Payne said the Australian border is a strategic national asset.
“We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure the border is a hostile environment for criminals trying to import harmful drugs,” Superintendent Payne said.
AFP Inspector Chris Colley said “just a few millilitres” of GBL could result in loss of consciousness and inhibit memory functions
“The AFP is committed to stopping these harmful drugs from infecting our communities, and will not stop hunting down those who are involved in this harmful trade even if years have passed,” Inspector Chris Colley said.
The 39-year old man faced Perth Magistrates court on Friday 11 August 2023, where the matter was adjourned to 22 September, 2023.
