ART FOR DRUGS’ SAKE
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney Airport Air Cargo Facility have seized 18.5 kilograms of ephedrine concealed in a shipment of artwork.
The shipment was targeted by ABF officers for closer examination.
When deconstructed, the display boxes containing the artwork showed a crystalline substance concealed within the lining.
Further testing conducted by ABF officers revealed positive traces of ephedrine.
ABF Regional Commander NSW Tim Fitzgerald said ABF officers are on high alert to prevent the importation of illegal drugs.
"Primed to act on suspicious consignments and disrupt drug importations through our air cargo facilities, our officers work hard to protect the Australian community," Commander Fitzgerald said.
"Seizing this ephedrine is an important step in helping decrease the domestic manufacture and supply of illegal drugs."
Ephedrine is used to manufacture dangerous and illegal amphetamine-type substances such as 'ice'. Importing ephedrine without a permit is prohibited.
The maximum penalty for importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor without a permit, such as ephedrine, is a fine of up to $550,000 and/or 25 years in prison.
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