A 39-year-old Singleton man has been charged after allegedly organising the importation of more than three kilos of a date rape drug from China disguised in eyelash extension remover bottles.
The man, who police allege is part of a criminal syndicate, was arrested in Mandurah by Australian Federal Police officers on May 30.
He is accused of facilitating the purchase and delivery of 3.4kg of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) in July 2021.
The drug was allegedly discovered inside 250 small bottles which were labelled as 'eyelash remover' after AFP investigators at a Perth air cargo facility intercepted the consignment due to anomalies.
Officers then replaced the drugs with an inert substance, before the consignment was delivered to an address in Kensington.
A 28-year-old Kensington woman, who allegedly collected the package, was arrested after delivering it to a 43-year-old St James man.
The man and woman were charged with importing a border controlled substance.
The 3.4kgs of GBL seized had an estimate street value of $69,000 and could have resulted in more than 1000 individual street deals.
The Singleton man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, being gamma-butyrolactone.
He faced Perth Magistrates court on August 11 where the matter was adjourned to September 22.
AFP Inspector Chris Colley said GBL could result in loss of consciousness and inhibit memory functions with just a few milliliters.
“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.
ABF Superintendent James Payne said the Australian border is a strategic national asset, and ABF officers at the frontline are dedicated to protecting our community from dangerous illegal drugs.
“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.
The GBL was found inside eyelash remover bottles. PIC: AFP
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