Customs seize $360k supply of date-rape drugs

GBL, often referred to as "liquid ecstasy", has been linked to at least one death. Photo / Thinkstock

Officials intercept 51 litres of 'coma-in-a-bottle' drug at Auckland Airport

Customs has stopped a $360,000 supply of a "date rape" drug from hitting our streets. In one of the biggest busts of its kind in New Zealand, officials intercepted 51 litres of the Class B controlled drug gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) at Auckland International Airport.

Known as "coma in a bottle", the synthetic colourless, odourless liquid has been used as a date-rape drug, with ingestion causing drowsiness and disorientation. It has been linked to at least one death.

Manager of Customs' Investigation Unit, Maurice O'Brien, said the interception was a major success story in the fight against drugs.

"Bearing in mind this stuff is used by 1ml to 2ml at a time, we're talking up to 51,000ml," he said.

"Although the estimated street value is high at $360,000, our focus is more the harm it does to society.

"We're very happy that we've intercepted it and stopped it going through into the community."

GBL is often referred to as "fantasy" or "liquid ecstasy" and legislation introduced in New Zealand in 2002 meant it could be controlled as a Class B drug.

Statistics obtained by the Herald on Sunday through the Official Information Act show interceptions of the drug are rising. From July 2011 to June 2012 there were 11 GBL seizures in New Zealand and 13 for the following year.

But from July 2013 to June 2014, the number of seizures spiked to 33.

O'Brien said those numbers had prompted a crackdown.

"Where there are increases we want to put a stop to it and will add resource where warranted."

"It's commonly imported as a cleaning solution or declared as nail cleaner for manicures."

Three people have been charged with offences related to the alleged importation attempt.