Two Brisbane men were arrested and charged with importing almost 5kg (11 pounds) of a border-controlled drug in Queensland, Australia, on Nov. 30, after a joint federal operation.
The Australian Federal Police arrested 24-year-old Sammuel Bartrim of Bridgeman Downs and 26-year-old Corey James Miller of Ferny Grove for importing commercial quantities of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), commonly known as bath salts.
They have also been charged with attempting to possess commercial quantities of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug.
After the packages were opened, officers found several bags of rock sugar containing a brown crystalline substance. The substances returned a presumptive positive for MDPV after testing.
According to the newspaper, the court was told 4.48kg (9.88 pounds) of MDPV was found in nine packets. Five packets were found in a car.
This drug can induce panic attacks, hypertension, and psychosis, and has resulted in violent uncontrollable behaviour by users, according to the AFP. It has been dubbed a “zombie” drug due to its effects on users.
If convicted the pair can face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or a fine of over AU$1.5 million (about US$1.1 million), or both.
The men are due to reappear in court on Dec. 15, reported the Courier Mail.
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