Fantasy over, Sydney man arrested for GBL importation

A 33-year-old Allambie Heights man will appear before the Sydney Central Local Court today (30 May 2014), charged with importing approximately 30 litres of Gamma-Butylrolactone (GBL), which can be used to manufacture the date-rape drug known as  ‘Fantasy’, into Australia. The man was arrested at his residence in Allambie Heights by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) yesterday, Thursday 29 May. The investigation began when Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers at Sydney Airport examined a consignment arriving as air cargo from China. The consignment consisted of a plastic drum declared to contain a legal substance.  When Customs and Border Protection officers examined the contents of the drum they discovered approximately 30 litres of a clear liquid. Initial testing of the liquid returned a positive result for the presence of GBL.  Customs and Border Protection officers then passed the consignment to the AFP for further investigation. AFP officers subsequently conducted an investigation and search warrant at the man’s property in Allambie Heights. It will be alleged that the man disposed of the plastic drum in a nearby park. The drum was subsequently recovered by Police. A number of items were seized from the premises, including a similar empty blue drum, a measuring syringe, vials of a substance suspected to be human growth hormones and approximately $10,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. The man was arrested and charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely Gamma-Butylrolacetone, contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). GBL, also known as ‘coma in a bottle’, metabolises into the drug gamma-hydoxybutryate (GHB) in the body. It can cause abrupt loss of consciousness, memory loss, respiratory difficulties, coma and death. ACBPS Regional Commander NSW, Tim Fitzgerald, said the detection was an important one for the community. “This is dangerous substance, capable of ruining many lives in a single incident,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “Customs and Border Protection officers are proud to keep such chemicals out of the hands of those who do not have a legitimate reason to import them, by working in partnership with the AFP.” Acting AFP Crime Operations Manager Jennifer Cullen said the AFP was committed to protecting the Australian community by prosecuting those responsible for importing dangerous drugs. “The AFP remains committed to disrupting the activities of people attempting to import illicit drugs,” Acting Commander Cullen said. “We share a common goal to protect our community by ensuring that these illegal and dangerous drugs never hit the streets.”

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment and/or a $1,275,000 fine.

Reference :

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service 2014, viewed 30 May 2014 <http://newsroom.customs.gov.au/releases/fantasy-over-sydney-man-arrested-for-gbl-importation>