Customs discover lube shipments are actually steroids
Australian Customs officers have broken a drugs ring where shipments of performance enhancing steroids where disguised as ‘gay lube oil.’
More than 150 bottles of the drugs have been seized in five states since the beginning of the year.
The authorities stepped in after they became suspicious of the number of orders for the product.
Tests revealed the bottles, posted from Thailand, contained image and performance enhancing drugs including deca durabolin and testosterone.
Customs National Manager Investigations, Richard Janeczko, said these drugs could not be imported into Australia without a permit from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
“Despite the professionalism of this smuggling operation, Customs officers were not fooled by the labelling and its misdescription,” Mr Janeczko said.
“These detections also serve as a reminder that the use of performance and image enhancing drugs is not confined to elite athletes.
“These substances have the potential to cause serious health risks.”
Customs executed search and seizure warrants on premises throughout Australia and issued several individuals with formal warnings and seizure notices about these shipments while other detections remain under investigation.
Customs is also liaising with authorities in Thailand to prevent further shipments.
“This is the latest in a growing number of attempts to beat Customs controls on these types of drugs with Customs successfully prosecuting many such cases in recent times,” Mr Janeczko said.
Despite the professionalism of this smuggling operation, Customs officers were not fooled by the labelling and its misdescription, he said.
Several people are expected to face prosecution.
The maximum penalty for smuggling performance enhancing drugs such as those seized is five years’ jail or a $110,000 (£52,500) fine.