An Australian Border Force (ABF)-led operation has allegedly exposed a national black market in steroids and synthetic drugs, with Queensland at its centre.
Over the past six months, authorities have arrested 17 people and seized more than $1.5 million worth of performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) and other illicit substances in a series of search warrants executed from the Gold Coast to Gympie.
Authorities have also seized approximately $500,000 in suspected criminal assets, including cash, vehicles and drug manufacturing equipment.
Codenamed Operation UMBRAL2025, ABF investigations launched the crackdown in February to target Queensland-based criminal syndicates and lone operators using the international mail system to import PIEDs into Australia.
The ABF-led operation was conducted with the support of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Sport Integrity Australia (SIA).
Key operational activities included the following:
Between February and May, ABF officers at the Brisbane and Melbourne Gateway Facilities intercepted eight packages containing PIEDs, methamphetamine and a commercial-grade pill press addressed to private mailboxes in Queensland.
Authorities identified two men connected to these imports and, as a result, intercepted a vehicle near Gympie. ABF and QPS officers allegedly discovered a fully operational clandestine drug lab, precursor chemicals, drug production instructions and a pill press in the car.
Authorities arrested the men, and both are scheduled to appear in court on drug importation and trafficking charges.
Between February and July, ABF officers at the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Gateway Facilities also intercepted 11 consignments containing PIEDs addressed to various parcel lockers in Queensland.
Investigators allege the importations were linked to two properties at Canungra in the Gold Coast region, Queensland.
On 29 July, ABF and QPS officers executed search warrants at the properties and located a quantity of PIEDS and $12,900 in cash.
Authorities arrested two men, who are both scheduled to appear in court on drug importation and trafficking charges.
In February, ABF officers at the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Gateway Facilities intercepted four consignments of PIEDs sent via international mail to post office boxes in Brisbane.
Investigators allege the importations were linked to a property in the Brisbane suburb of Stafford, Queensland.
On 12 Mar 2025, ABF and QPS officers executed a search warrant at the property and located PIEDs, other drugs and drug manufacturing equipment.
Authorities arrested a 46-year-old man on drug importation and trafficking offences and are scheduled to appear in court.
In a separate case in February, ABF officers at the same gateway facilities identified an additional 13 consignments of PIEDs sent via international mail to Queensland parcel lockers.
ABF investigators allege the importations were linked to four properties on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
On 19 February, ABF and QPS executed search warrants on the properties, which led to the discovery of PIEDs, other illicit drugs and large quantities of cash, and the arrest of three men, aged 49, 38 and 34, and a woman aged 39.
The individuals have been charged with drug importation and trafficking offences and are scheduled to appear in court.
ABF Superintendent Amanda Coppleman said the six-month-long operation had significantly disrupted alleged criminal networks importing steroids and other illicit drugs to Australia.
"I am incredibly proud of the work my officers have undertaken over the past six months," Superintendent Coppleman said.
"The ABF is Australia's only border security agency dedicated to protecting our physical border and combatting the illicit performance and image-enhancing drugs trade.
"These drugs are regulated in Australia for good reasons, as they can have severe health impacts for users.
"Criminals do not care about the risks they create for the people using the products. They only think only about the potential profits.
"Our presence across the country ensures all imports - whether by air, mail or sea - are scrutinised by our committed and highly skilled officers."
Major and Organised Crime Squad Northern Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Watts said Queensland Police Service officers have worked closely with ABF officers to assist in the investigation and apprehension of drug traffickers and interrupt the supply of illicit drugs.
"We will continue to work with ABF to proactively reduce the harm of performance and image-enhancing drugs and methamphetamine," Detective Senior Sergeant Watts said.
Sport Integrity Australia played an important supporting role, working jointly with ABF and QPS by delivering intelligence to assist the operation.
Anyone with information about suspicious border activity or border-related crime can report it anonymously via Border Watch: borderwatch.gov.au
Anyone with information about these matters is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
