24-year-old man arrested amid major date rape drug bust in Glydne

Police have arrested a 24-year-old man after uncovering a record amount of a newly-banned and deadly sedative commonly used as a date-rape drug.

On May 8, a Chinese national was arrested and charged with allegedly importing this 155kg of the drug Bute from Hong Kong into South Australia. Image: Supplied.

Police have arrested a A 24-year-old man in Glynde after uncovering an astonishing amount of a newly-banned and deadly sedative commonly used as a date-rape drug.

On May 8, the Chinese national was arrested and charged with allegedly importing around 155kg of the drug Bute from Hong Kong into South Australia.

This is the largest known detected quantity of bute to be imported directly into the state.

ABF Acting Chief Superintendent Alex Kelsall said that “Australian Border Force (ABF) officers, with the support of South Australian Police, attended and searched a residential property in Glynde, South Australia as part of an investigation into the suspected illegal importation of 1, 4-Butanediol, otherwise known as ‘bute’.”

“Bute is known to be used as a ‘date-rape’ drug and is extremely dangerous” he said.

Mr Kelsall explained that bute is an industrial solvent that the body naturally converts into gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) once ingested, depressing and slowing down the functions of a person’s nervous system.

Bute also known as ‘fantasy’ is also a border-controlled drug.

Due to its effects, bute is commonly used in Australia as a ‘party drug’ or to facilitate offences including theft, sexual assault and rape, meaning it serves as both a serious health risk and a tool for criminal activity.

Australian Border Force Chief Superintendent Alex Kelsall has warned about the dangers of the drug. Picture: Tom Huntley

“ABF officers are dedicated to protecting Australia’s border and preventing this harmful drug reaching the streets of South Australia,” Mr Kelsall said.

AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Paula Hudson said its generic street name of ‘fantasy’ was misleading and hid the nightmare this substance could cause to individuals, families and communities.

“Although 1,4-Butanediol has a legitimate industrial use, factors such as the significant volumes and concealment methods used in its illegal importation suggest it is targeted for a more nefarious use,” Assistant Commissioner Hudson said.

“1,4-BD is dangerous on many levels. Unlike other illicit drugs, it can be used as an instrument of crime, rather than being generally taken only for personal use.

The Glynde man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, namely 1,4-Butanediol, and will appear before the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date. The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

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

This follows the earlier arrests in January of this year of three Port Pirie men on charges of importing bute into South Australia.

Bute is a substance found in industrial cleaning products, biodegradable plastics and even spandex.

More than 3.8 tonnes has been seized between 1 January and 30 April, 2025.

Originally published as 24-year-old man arrested amid major date rape drug bust in Glydne