A 31-year-old woman is set to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today, (26 June, 2026) charged with allegedly importing border-controlled drugs inside a bottle of body wash.
The French national, currently residing in Manning, was stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers as she arrived at Perth International Airport from Thailand on 29 May, 2026.
During an examination of her baggage, ABF officers allegedly found a small container marked 'Body Wash'. The liquid was tested and identified as 50g of Butanediol, a declared border-controlled drug.
ABF officers also searched the woman's phone where it is alleged they found an image indicating she may be internally concealing a border-controlled drug.
The matter was referred to the AFP, and the woman later expelled 40 steroid tablets, which were seized for forensic testing.
She was charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of border-controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said law enforcement remained vigilant in preventing illicit substances entering Australia through our airports.
"The AFP works closely with the ABF to ensure illicit substances don't make it through the arrivals gate," Det a/Superintendent Brindal said.
"Anyone contemplating being involved in drug importation should be aware this is a serious offence. The penalties can be severe and those involved will be detected, arrested and held to account before the courts."
ABF Superintendent John Eldridge said ABF officers were committed to protecting the community from illegal and harmful drugs entering Australia on passengers at the border.
"Butanediol is an extremely dangerous chemical solvent that the body converts to Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) when ingested, and just a few milligrams can result in death," Supt Eldridge said.
"Because it is so dangerous, Butanediol was declared a border-controlled drug in Australia in 2024, so when it is illegally imported it is considered to be on par with other more well-known drugs like methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine."
