‘Coma in a bottle’ seized by authorities in Sydney 

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the seizure of 2000 litres of ‘liquid ecstasy’, with a potential street value of $10 million.

The sting was conducted on Wednesday following a joint operation between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force that begun early February.

A ‘high-risk’ shipping container that was identified as it arrived in Sydney was found to contain 120 drums which tested positive to gamma-butyrolactone, or GBL. 

Following in-depth forensic analysis, officers executed a series of search warrants across Sydney in Warwick Farm, Marrickville, Moorebank and Lewisham – eventually arresting the 30-year-old man. 

He was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled substance.  

AFP Commander Chris Sheehan referred to the ‘party drug’ as a ‘coma in a bottle’, saying predators had used it in the past to enable rape. 

‘It is vital we continue to work with our partners at the border to stop any dangerous drug that can contribute to these sorts of crimes in our community,’ he said. 

‘What people are actually ingesting is an industrial chemical solvent. The World Health Organization says it is the kind of substance commonly found in paint strippers, stain removers, and circuit board cleaners.’ 

The man was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled substance

GBL metabolises into the drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in the body and can cause abrupt loss of consciousness, memory loss, respiratory difficulties, coma, and death.

Investigations into the importation are ongoing, and authorities revealed further arrests have not been ruled out.

Anyone with information about the importation of illicit drugs is encouraged to contact Border Watch by visiting www.homeaffairs.gov.au/borderwatch.