Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have seized a further 500 litres of 1,4 Butanediol from a storage facility in Oakleigh as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
A warrant was executed at the Lever Street property shortly after 10am on Monday, 26 September and 36 boxes of the liquid were seized.
Earlier this month a 29-year-old Burwood man was arrested at his Burwood property as part of this investigation.
He was subsequently charged with the following offences:
• Traffick large commercial quantity 1,4 Butanediol;
• Traffick commercial quantity methylamphetamine;
• Handle stolen goods;
• Possess process of crime; and
• Possess identification to commit an indictable offence.
The man faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court and was subsequently remanded in custody to appear again on 6 December.
Police also seized 25 litres of 1,4 Butanediol from his Tennyson Street address during the warrant on 13 September, along with methylamphetamine, a large quantity of cash, and stolen and false identification.
Police will allege the man was importing the drugs into Melbourne via the domestic mail service.
1,4 Butanediol is a drug commonly imported as an industrial product and then often sold at significant profit to people who are led to believe it is GHB.
The drug can be unpredictable and because it works more slowly than the similar GHB, users are at risk of overdosing because they are likely to take a second or third dose. The difference between survival and a fatal overdose can be very small.
At this time, the street value of a litre of 1,4 Butanediol is believed to be between $1500 and $4000 per litre.
Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
