This is a joint media statement between the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP).
An international traveller has been issued a $3,000 fine and will have his visa cancelled after arriving at Perth Airport with the illicit drugs GBL and MDMA in his luggage, as well as a quantity of prohibited steroids.
The man was noticed by an ABF officer who took him aside for a luggage inspection when he arrived on Wednesday 16 November 2022 on a flight from Singapore.
He had answered ‘no’ on his Passenger Declaration Card as to whether he was carrying any goods that may be prohibited, however a search of his luggage uncovered around 100ml of GBL, six capsules of MDMA and a variety of prohibited anabolic steroids.
ABF A/g Commander West, Vesna Gavranich said the ABF officer who first noticed the Singaporean national is currently completing officer training at the ABF College, and their instincts were spot on.
“Travellers entering Australia attempting to bring in any illicit or prohibited drug into the country should be aware ABF officers receive world-class training around their important role of protecting our border, and this detection is another demonstration,” A/g Commander Gavranich said.
Australian Federal Police Aviation Inspector Shona Davis said the AFP is committed to working together with the ABF to prevent any amount of drugs from entering the country including through our international airports.
“We are warning travellers arriving in Australia with drugs in their possession, they will be detected and face the consequences of the law,” Inspector Davis said.
After the man was referred to the AFP, he appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday 17 November, pleading guilty to three charges:
- Importing Border Controlled Drugs, Namely Gammabutyrolactone (GBL), contrary to section 307.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- Importing Border Controlled Drugs, Namely 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), contrary to section 307.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- Importing prohibited import, namely Anabolic Steroids, contrary to section 233 of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth).
The man will be excluded from applying for a visa to re-enter Australia for three years.
CNB aware of his arrest
According to The Straits Times, the Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau has also been made aware of his arrested and is investigating.
There is a chance the man could be prosecuted in Singapore as well, as it is illegal for Singaporeans to use drugs overseas even if it is legal.
Source: Australian Border Force