The Australian Federal Police have warned offenders there are serious consequences for illegally importing 1,4 Butanediol - commonly known as bute, a harmful substance that is linked to sexual assaults and overdoses. Earlier this year, bute was defined as a border controlled drug. This change means those convicted of illegally importing bute will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. More than 4200 litres of bute have been seized in Sydney following the change in legislation. For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
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00:00 Butte is an industrial chemical. It is used to produce plastics and can be extremely dangerous
00:07 and damaging to human if consumed. The chemical has been increasingly linked to sexual assaults
00:14 and drug overdoses in Australia. On the 1st of March there was changes to Commonwealth legislation
00:20 resulting in Butte now being defined as a border control drug. This puts it up on par with some of
00:26 the most serious drugs in the Australian community such as methamphetamine, heroin, MDMA and cocaine.
00:34 This change means that those convicted of illegally importing Butte will now face up to a maximum
00:41 life imprisonment. To give you an indication of the size and seriousness of this problem,
00:47 since the change in legislation on the 1st of March, more than 4,200 litres of Butte has been
00:53 seized in Sydney alone. We know these seizures aren't for legitimate purposes. What we are seeing
01:00 is the same methodology and concealment factors that are used to import other border control drugs
01:06 into Australia. On one occasion an ABF detection of 180 litres led to the identification of 1,400
01:15 litres already in the Australian community in a warehouse in Sydney. The AFP is investigating
01:21 these matters and will continue to do so. What we need to say today though, the consequences of
01:26 importing Butte into Australia are serious because the harm done to Australians is significant and
01:33 can be life-changing. When ingested, Butte is absorbed by the body and metabolises to GHB.
01:41 It is a depressant that slows down messaging travelling between the brain and body. It
01:47 slows down the functions of the nervous system and makes would-be victims really vulnerable.
01:52 If ingested, it can produce serious side effects including breathing problems, hallucinations,
01:59 loss of consciousness and even death. It is extremely unsafe. We are also becoming increasingly
02:06 concerned with reports that Butte is one of the central drivers to non-fatal and fatal GHB
02:13 overdoses in Australia and is used to facilitate sexual assaults through the spiking of food and
02:20 drink. Our message to the Australian community is clear. The consequences of importing Butte
02:26 into Australia are serious. The impacts and the damage to Australians is significant.
02:33 you
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