A woman from the central Queensland town of Moranbah has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, fully suspended, for importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs. She appeared before the Townsville Magistrates Court on 4 March 2021.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) alleged that the woman imported over 1.6 kilograms of drugs in February and March 2019. The packages, which were intercepted by the ABF, were comprised of Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL), and were addressed to the woman.
In March 2019, joint search warrants with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) were conducted to locate evidence related to the importations. Drugs and weapons such as extendable batons and knuckle dusters were also seized.
The woman was charged by the ABF with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, contrary to the Commonwealth Criminal Code, and on related state drug charges.
ABF Assistant Commissioner Tim Fitzgerald thanked the QPS for their ongoing support and cooperation and said the sentencing sent a strong message that no matter where you live in Queensland, law enforcement will pursue illegal activity such as drug importation.
"This is another example of what can be achieved when we work closely with our state and territory law enforcement counterparts to protect the Australian community," Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said.
"Anyone thinking of engaging in this type of criminal behaviour should know that the ABF remains focused on combatting the scourge of illegal drugs. Our officers are watching and we are investigating," he said.
