Over 20,000 ‘Ice’ pipes seized in Brisbane
28-11-2014 -
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) has seized 20,800 ‘ice’ pipes under legislation prohibiting the import of devices for the administration of amphetamine-type substances.
On Tuesday, 18 November 2014, ACBPS officers at Brisbane Air Cargo examined a consignment shipped from China due to concerns in the goods’ description.
Irregularities were also noticed in an x-ray and the consignment was subsequently inspected. During the search ACBPS officers found 7000 glass pipes in 35 packages.
On Wednesday, 19 November 2014, a second consignment arrived in Brisbane Air Cargo and 13,800 glass pipes where found in 69 packages.
Following the detections, ACBPS officers, with support from the Queensland Police Service’s Taskforce Maxima, yesterday (27 November 2014) executed search warrants at two addresses in Brisbane.
ACBPS Regional Commander QLD, Dr Ben Evans, said these types of glass pipes are prohibited as they can be used to administer methamphetamine, or ‘ice’, and are sold in the domestic Australian market.
“Methamphetamine use is a national concern and there is no place for these products in our communities or on our streets,” Dr Evans said.
“Under Customs legislation, we are able to stop these products at the border and pursue prosecution of those who may be tempted to endanger our community by importing such items.”
Regulation 4I of the Customs (Prohibited Import) Regulations 1956 controls the importation of ‘ice’ pipes, and under Section 233(1) (b) of the Customs Act 1901, it is an offence to import ‘the pipes.
The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of up to $170,000.
http://newsroom.customs.gov.au/releases/over-20-000-ice-pipes-seized-in-brisbane