A 35-year-old man has been ordered to reappear in a Brisbane court next month after Customs investigators arrested him for an alleged attempt to smuggle ephedrine into Australia.
 
The operation began on Thursday 20 November when Customs officers at the Queensland Parcels Post Mail Facility targeted a package sent from the United Kingdom for examination.

The parcel was found to contain a plastic bag containing white crystalline powder weighing approximately 236 grams.
 
Testing of the powder returned positive results for ephedrine.

Ephedrine is a precursor chemical which can be diverted for use in the illegal manufacture of amphetamine type substances, including "ice". Its importation is prohibited unless approval has been given by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Customs investigators yesterday (28 November) executed a search and seizure warrant on a house in Yeronga.

They arrested the Australian citizen and charged him with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled precursor, contrary to Section 307 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The man appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning where he was bailed to reappear on 22 December.

The maximum penalty for offences of this nature is a fine of $330,000 and/or imprisonment for 15 years.

Customs National Manager Investigations, Richard Janeczko, said the operation was a good example of Customs' ability to detect and investigate alleged attempts to smuggle precursor chemicals into Australia.

Media enquiries:
For further details contact Customs Media (02) 6275 6793