Port Pirie men arrested after ABF, SA Police bust attempted import of date-rape drug ‘bute’

Border force has intercepted a package of a date-rape drug that causes hallucinations, loss of consciousness, disguised as lubricant with three men charged for allegedly importing it.

Three South Australian men have been charged after allegedly importing a date-rape drug into the state from China, disguised as “lubricant”.

Earlier this month, Australian Border Force officers detected the date-rape drug known as “bute” hidden in bottled labelled “mechanical lubricant” that had been imported from China and bound for a property in Solomontown.

On January 15, ABF officers along with officers from the SA Police Criminal Investigations Branch conducted a managed delivery of the illicit substances, which resulted in a search at three separate properties

One man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and was refused bail to face court in February.

A second man was later charged with two counts of possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, and a third man was charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.

They were both granted bail to appear in the Port Pirie Magistrates Court next month.

Three Port Pirie men have been charged with Commonwealth offences relating to imported consignments of 1,4 Butanediol, commonly known as the date-rape drug 'bute', following a joint operation between the Australian Border Force and South Australian Police. Picture: ABF

The ABF said the maximum penalty of importing ‘bute’ - which is an industrial solvent converted to GHB in the body - is life imprisonment.

Bute was declared a border controlled drug in Australia last year, over the escalating harm it causes the community.

ABF Chief Superintendent Bart England said overdosing on bute can result in hallucinations, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and even death.

“Since the legislative changes came into effect last year, ABF officers have been regularly detecting this highly dangerous drug at the border, and when we do, we will act decisively with our law enforcement partners to find those responsible for its importation,” he said.

There is no suggestion that the men intended to use the drug to commit a sexual offence.

SA Police Yorke Mid North Local Service Area’s Acting Superintendent Caroline Jacobs said local police were happy to work with Australian Border Force to ensure this result.

“These arrests show the value of our law enforcement agencies working together to interrupt supply and reduce harm in our communities,“ Acting Superintendent Jacobs said.

Investigations are continuing, and anyone with information about suspicious activity is urged to report Border Watch online.