Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Sydney have stopped approximately 256 litres of the narcotic GBL declared as compressor oil from reaching the Australian community.
On 25 April 2019, ABF officers targeted an air cargo shipment consisting of 16 boxes labelled as ‘compressor oil’ for inspection. Each box was found to contain a number of bottles.
X-rays revealed inconsistencies in the contents of some of the bottles.
Further testing revealed approximately 128 litres of GBL secreted throughout the shipment.
On 26 April, ABF officers selected an identical consignment for inspection. Upon examination, it was also found to contain approximately 128 litres of GBL.
Both detections remain under investigation.
ABF Superintendent Investigations NSW, Garry Low, said this detection should serve as a warning to those thinking of importing or exporting illegal substances.
“GBL can ruin your life in a single incident. It is an incredibly dangerous substance with a very high overdose rate,” Superintendent Low said.
“The ABF screens tens of millions of articles each year, and the fact we are able to pinpoint individual shipments and detect and seize these drugs at the border is a testament to the skills of our officers.
“This is another great example of our intelligence and border screening methods working together to stop dangerous drugs entering the country.”
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit substances should contact Border Watch at: australia.gov.au/borderwatch
By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia’s border. Information can be provided anonymously.
