Woman dies from party drug GBL as police make record $12m bust

A Double Bay woman is believed to be the latest victim of party drug GBL, as NSW Police today announced a record seizure of the drug which is linked to the deaths of two people at the Defqon.1 dance party in September.

• $12m drug seizure linked to Defqon.1 festival
• Overdose blood tests used to trace drug lords

A Double Bay woman is believed to be the latest victim of the party drug GBL, which has flooded Sydney over Christmas and into the summer dance festival season.

NSW Police revealed the 38-year-old is suspected of overdosing on January 2 on the drug known as ‘fantasy’ or ‘coma in a bottle’ when they today announced a record seizure of GBL linked to the deaths of two people at the Defqon.1 dance party in September.

The haul of more than $12 ­million of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) was found in a consignment from China disguised as fertiliser after police began to investigate the ­Defqon.1 deaths of Joseph Pham, 23 and Diana Nguyen, 23, in September.

NSW Police Force and Australian Border Force made a record haul of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) coming from China. Picture: NSW Police

In an unrelated operation police also seized a quantity of ice, methamphetamine, GBL and fentanyl in Wollongong today.

MORE NEWS:

‘CHLOE WENT UNDER WATER. THEN HER EYES TURNED RED’

FRAIL BONDI RESCUE STAR FRONTS COURT OVER TEXTS

It is believed this Wollongong drug supply is linked to the suspected GBL overdose of Double Bay woman Shannon Whelan, who died in hospital on Sunday night after she was found unconscious in her eastern suburbs flat on January 2.  

Police at Double Bay where Shannon Whelan is suspected to have died of a GBL drug overdose on January 2. Picture: Bill Hearne

After the deaths at Defqon.1, police launched an operation which ­located two large, clandestine commercial MDMA laboratories at ­Menangle and Mount Hunter which they allege are linked to the latest four-tonne seizure from China.

Working with Australia Border Force officers, detectives analysed patterns of importations from China to a number of companies in Sydney’s southwest leading to the ­discovery of the drug in 20 drums last December.

“Our job at state command is to target the dark world of those ­people profiteering from the death of individuals,’’ Acting Assistant commissioner Steward Smith said.

Joseph Pham died from a drug overdose at the Defqon.1 Festival. Picture: Facebook

Police began looking into the distribution of GBL following two deaths at Defqon.1. Picture: Instagram

He said the 20 drums, labelled as fertiliser, were destined for companies in southwest Sydney.

“Investigations are continuing and we are not ruling out making more arrests,’’ he said, adding that those dealing or importing drugs can expect a knock on the door.

“With a record seizure of four tonnes of GBL — whether it was to be used as a precursor or sold as is — and the dismantling of two massive MDMA labs, it’s a good start to the disruption of supply.”

Usually sold in small bottles or vials, GBL is known to produce feelings of euphoria, while also lowering inhibitions and increasing sex drive.

ABF Regional Commander NSW Danielle Yannopoulos said the result showed the strength and effectiveness of Australia’s border and law enforcement agencies.