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.
The arrests were made after ABF officers detected four consignments of the drug within bottles labelled “mechanical lubricant” imported from China addressed to a Solomontown property.
On 15 January 2025, officers from the ABF, supported by the South Australian Police (SAPOL) Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) conducted a managed delivery of the illicit consignments, resulting in the search of three separate properties.
One man was charged with one count import commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 16 January 2025 by video link. He was refused bail and the matter has been adjourned to February 2025. ​
The second man was charged with two counts to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, while the third man was charged with one count attempt to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs. Both men were granted bail and are due to appear at Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Monday 24 February 2025
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
‘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.
ABF Chief Superintendent Bart England said that in March 2024 but was declared a border controlled drug in Australia, due to the escalating harm it was causing in the community.
“Overdose can result in hallucinations, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and even death,” Chief Superintendent England said.
“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.”
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 remain ongoing.
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