A Sydney man has been charged with importing 1,4 Butanediol, commonly known as 'bute', into Australia.
The man, 34, is set to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court today (15 November, 2024) charged with importing seven litres of the border controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
A change in Commonwealth legislation in March, 2024, resulted in the substance being defined as a border controlled drug (Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No.2) Act 2023).
The AFP investigation began in May, 2024, after the Australian Border Force (ABF) detected consignments of 1,4 Butanediol being sent to the man's address at Kirrawee, in Sydney's south.
The AFP will allege the man coordinated the importation of the 1,4 Butanediol in two shipments from Hong Kong in May and June, 2024.
The first shipment consisted of four bottles labelled as 'rose oil' that allegedly contained two litres of 1,4 Butanediol. The second consignment allegedly contained five litres of 1,4 Butanediol in bottles labelled as shark essence oil.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the man's Kirrawee unit on 13 November, 2024, and seized about 80g of methamphetamine in 10 clip-seal bags, a bottle labelled as 'body wash' suspected to contain 1,4 Butanediol, a spring-loaded knife and a mobile phone.
He was arrested and charged with:
- Importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 1,4 Butanediol, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
- Possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 1,4 Butanediol, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
- Supplying or knowingly taking part in the supply of prohibited drugs, namely methylamphetamine equal to or less than the commercial quantity, contrary to subsection 25(1) of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW). The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years' imprisonment.
The Kirrawee man is the second person in NSW to be charged with the importation of 1,4 Butanediol. In August 2024, the AFP charged a western Sydney man, 48, with:
- Importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 1,4 Butanediol, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
- Possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 1,4 Butanediol, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
The matter remains before the courts.
Australian law enforcement agencies have reported escalating harm resulting from 1,4 Butanediol, which can be used as a substitute for the illegal drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
1,4 Butanediol is an industrial solvent the body naturally converts into GHB once ingested, depressing and slowing down the functions of a person's nervous system.
AFP Detective acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said the AFP was committed to disrupting anyone who wished to illegally import this dangerous drug into Australia.
"This substance depresses and slows down the functions of a person's nervous system. Overdose can result in hallucinations, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and even death," a/Supt Millen said.
"The AFP will continue to work with partners including the ABF to save lives and protect the Australian community from the scourge of drugs and those who seek to profit from the illicit trade."
ABF acting Superintendent Rob Rangi said ABF officers had been regularly detecting 1,4 Butanediol at the border since the legislative changes came into effect in March.
"The ABF recognises the risk this substance poses if consumed improperly by members of the community," a/Supt Rangi said.
"1,4 Butanediol is classified a dual use chemical, that with the correct permit permission can be imported into Australia for legitimate industrial use.
"The concerning trend of importing this substance for alleged illicit activities is a recognised border risk that we will continue to target in order to stamp out the exploitation of our border controls for illegal gains."
