May 30th 2024.
Authorities are sounding the alarm about a dangerous trend involving an industrial solvent commonly used in the production of plastics. Known as "bute," or 1,4 Butanediol, this chemical has been increasingly linked to serious incidents such as sexual assaults and overdoses.
The Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force are urging both potential illegal importers and the general public to be aware of the risks associated with dealing with this substance. While it does have legitimate industrial purposes, when ingested, it can also be converted by the body into gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as the "date rape" drug.
In March, bute was classified as a border-controlled drug, with a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those caught illegally importing it. Since then, over 4200 liters of the substance have been seized in Sydney alone by the Australian Federal Police.
Law enforcement has reported a growing number of incidents related to this drug, causing concern among policing agencies across the country. According to AFP Eastern Commander Kate Ferry, the recent seizures are a worrying development.
She stated, "Bute is an industrial chemical used to produce plastics and can be incredibly dangerous if consumed. The concerns of law enforcement agencies are increasing due to reports linking bute to sexual assaults and overdoses."
This warning is also directed at the wider community, with Ferry urging people to refrain from taking this drug and contributing to the demand for it. She also called out criminal groups who profit from the misery and suffering of others, imploring them to stop supporting these illegal activities.
Acting Commander Asha Patwardhan of the Australian Border Force also issued a stern warning to anyone considering illegally importing bute. She revealed that their officers have been detecting and disrupting attempts to bring in large quantities of the substance on a daily basis.
Patwardhan added, "Bute is often cleverly concealed, with our officers finding it hidden in body oils, face masks, and even food products. Just recently, we intercepted 180 liters of bute disguised as body oil from China on March 7. This led to further seizures of over 1000 liters from business addresses in the Sydney suburbs of Fairfield and Lidcombe."
In total, over 1400 liters of bute were seized in this operation alone. In another incident, 960 liters of the substance were discovered concealed in bottles labeled as "essence oil" from China on March 23. And in early May, a recipient alerted authorities to an importation of 660 liters of bute after becoming aware of the changes in legislation. This shipment had been sent in late 2023.
It's important to note that bute can still be legally imported into Australia for industrial use by companies registered with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme. For the general public, however, the message is clear - stay away from this dangerous drug. And for the criminals involved in its illegal importation, law enforcement will continue to crack down on their illicit activities and protect the community from harm.
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