Media Release: 19-year-old woman arrested for importing 12 kilograms of GBL
Release Date: Friday, August 10 2012, 11:53 AM
A 19-year-old Alderley woman will face Brisbane Magistrates Court today charged with drug importation offences following a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) Taskforce Hydra and Customs and Border Protection Service.
On 4 August 2012 Customs and Border Protection officers identified a parcel from China for examination. The examination revealed the parcel contained a clear liquid substance. Presumptive testing indicated a positive result for Gammabutyrolacetone (GBL), a precursor for GHB or Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, commonly known as ‘fantasy’.
The parcel contained approximately 12 kilograms of the liquid worth up to $75,000 on Australian streets, and was addressed to a 19-year-old Alderley woman.
As a result of a joint investigation simultaneous search warrants were executed by the AFP, QPS and Northern Territory Police yesterday (9 August 2012) at a tattoo parlour and residential premises in Alderley (QLD), Queanbeyan (NSW) and Darwin (NT).
The AFP subsequently arrested the 19-year-old Alderley woman at the tattoo parlour and seized drugs and drug paraphernalia.
QPS also arrested three people, a 19-year-old Deception Bay woman, a 24-year-old Everton Park man and a 36-year-old Alderley man yesterday. They will appear in court at a later date to face state related drug and firearms offences.
Police also seized a number of firearms including a sawn off .22 calibre rifle, a loaded 9mm hand gun, ammunition and small quantities of GBL, ice, GHB, Ecstasy as well as more than $6,000.
AFP Manager Serious and Organised Crime Commander David Sharpe said this operation has prevented 12 kilograms of this dangerous substance from hitting the streets of Brisbane and up to $75,000 from entering the criminal economy.
QPS Detective Superintendent John Sheppard, Major and Organised Crime Group, State Crime Operations Command said the Queensland Police Service is committed to working with our partners to assist in disrupting the flow of illegal and illicit drugs into the community.
Customs and Border Protection National Manager Cargo Operations Jagtej Singh said Australian law enforcement agencies had the technology and the intelligence to detect and stop illegal importations of this kind.
“These arrests should serve as a warning to those considering importing these substances illegally,” Mr Singh said.
The 19-year-old Alderley woman was charged with the following offences
Once count of conspiracy to import a border control drug contrary to section 307.1(1) by virtue of 11.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to section 301.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
One count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug contrary to section 307.5(1) by virtue of 11.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
One count of dealing in proceeds of crime in excess of $10,000 contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Trafficking a trafficable quantity of a controlled drug contrary to section 302.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Possessing a controlled drug contrary to section 308.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The maximum penalty for these offences is $825,000 fine and/or 25 years imprisonment.
Investigations are continuing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Queensland Police (07) 3015 2444
Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793