Import loophole slammed shut as cops crack down on deadly drug

A loophole that once allowed a chemical used as a precursor to the deadly drug GHB to be easily imported into Australia has slammed shut as authorities crack down on the substance.

A chemical used as a precursor to the deadly drug GHB and that was once able to be legally imported in huge quantities has been listed as a controlled substance.

But despite the relisting of 1,4-butanediol as a border controlled drug in March this year, South Australia police have still reported significant seizures of the drug fantasy.

“The umbrella term of ‘fantasy’ is used to refer to three substances – GHB, GBL and 1,4-butanediol,” a police spokesman said.

“GBL and 1,4-butanediol actually convert to GHB when ingested so all three have the same or similar physiological effects.

“All are controlled drugs in South Australia.”

SA Health describes GBL as twice as potent as GHB, “with quicker onset” while 1,4-butanediol is “slower in onset of action than GHB”.

Until March 1 this year, 1,4-butanediol – an industrial solvent used in the production of various plastics and polymers – was able to be lawfully imported to Australia without a permit, which police believed to be “a significant contributing factor” in the prevalence of fantasy in South Australia.

It is the same substance detected on a popular children’s toy, Bindeez, in 2007 after two children who swallowed the toy were hospitalised in Australia.

“The chemical 1,4-butanediol is used as a source of GHB, and is naturally converted to GHB in the body,” a police spokesman said.

“SAPOL has also detected GHB clandestine drug laboratories from time to time.”

It has since been listed as a border-controlled drug under federal legislation.

“Consequently 1,4-butanediol can no longer be imported into Australia without a permit, thus restricting its availability in South Australia,” a police spokesman said.

More than 40 litres of fantasy has been seized in South Australia in the past five months.

Police warned they would continue cracking down on illicit substances in South Australia.

“Notwithstanding these trends, like other illicit drugs, the harms associated with ecstasy and GHB are well known and SAPOL will continue the pursuit of those who manufacture or deal in these illicit substances,” the spokesman said.