The Australian Border Force (ABF) has successfully prosecuted and fined a Brisbane man over $17,000 for importing ‘ice’ pipes into Australia last year.
In November 2014, former Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers at Brisbane Air Cargo detected the two consignments of ‘ice’ pipes, totalling 20,800 pipes in 104 packages.
ACBPS officers subsequently executed search warrants at two addresses in Brisbane in late November, where the offender was identified as the importer of the pipes.
On Thursday, 9 July 2015, the offender pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for importing a prohibited import under Section 233 (1) (b) of the Customs Act 1901.
The man was fined $17,500 for the importation and also ordered to pay costs of $483.50.
ABF Acting Regional Commander QLD, Rachel Houghton, said the prosecution and hefty fine are a warning to those involved in the illicit and damaging ‘ice’ trade.
“The Australian Border Force is committed to disrupting the national methamphetamine, or ‘ice’, epidemic at the border,” Ms Houghton said.
“These types of glass pipes are prohibited as they can be used to administer methamphetamine and are sold in the domestic Australian market.
“These pipes could have caused immeasurable damage to the community if they had been distributed.”
Source credit: ABF.gov.au
