Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers (ACBPS) have again been the key in exposing an illegal shipment of testosterone powder which was hidden in a shipment of food packaging.
The shipment of two parcels arrived at the Brisbane Mail Facility in January 2014, originating from China. Approx 1.4 kilograms of testosterone was discovered.
ACBPS and Taskforce Maxima Investigated, with search warrants being carried out in Bonogin. The following items were allegedly located in the premises:-
– Two clandestine steroid laboratories
– Large quantity of chemicals used in the production of powered steroids into liquid form
– $15,000 in cash
– Quantity of liquid steroids
– Peptides
– Shotgun
Detective Inspector Brendan Smith of Taskforce Maxima expressed how the detection of the steroids was important.
“The use of steroids, its associated violence, and its links to criminal gangs is increasing. The sophistication and apparent commercial nature of this particular set up is a clear indicator of the extent of the criminality of these gangs and their associates.
“They need to understand the community has had enough, they don’t want them in their neighbourhoods, and we will be relentless in our efforts to drive them out.
“Not only are the products they produce dangerous to the users and the community, the laboratories themselves pose a significant risk of fire and explosion.”
With investigations into the importation of these steroids progresses, ACBPS Regional Command Queensland Doctor Ben Evans had only praise for the officers that detected the steroid powder.
“We work with partner agencies, including the Queensland Police, to successfully disrupt the illicit trade in dangerous drugs,” Dr Evans said.
