Key Points
- Police have stopped the illegal importation of 4200 litres of butanediol – commonly known as “bute”.
- The drug, an industrial chemical typically used to produce plastics, was “extremely dangerous”.
- Authorities said the imports originate from the Asian market, with the “majority of larger quantities from China”.
Authorities have stopped the illegal importation of 4,200 litres of butanediol — commonly known as “bute” — in the three months since laws were changed to make it a border-controlled drug.
What happens after you take the drug?
When consumed, the drug is metabolised into gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which slows down the brain’s messaging to the body.
Australian Federal Police commander Kate Ferry said the drug, which is an industrial chemical typically used to produce plastics, was “extremely dangerous and damaging to humans”.
‘Predominantly’ used in date rape cases
“But anecdotal evidence from state and territory law enforcement agencies is this is coming up and has been since about 2020 as predominantly used in date-rape cases,” Ferry said on Thursday.
“So it’s significant enough for the commonwealth government to make that legislation change and put it at the height of the most serious drugs in Australia.”
Can the drug be imported legally?
“Our officers are observing individuals and criminal syndicates attempting to import bute in concerning volumes,” she said.
What does the law say?
Ferry said women in particular should be cautious about who had access to their drinks, but she added the agencies’ work was designed to take the onus off potential victims.
Importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug attracts a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.