Importer of 'speed' narrowly dodges jail
A LAIDLEY man has narrowly avoided a stint behind bars after he was caught importing pseudoephedrine into the country.
The 30-year-old man was charged after a joint operation between Customs and Border Protection and the Queensland Police Service. It followed the interception of a parcel containing pseudoephedrine and execution of a search warrant at the man's Laidley property.
Customs officers at Sydney's International Mail Centre intercepted the parcel, which was destined for Gatton, in August last year.
Inside the package officers found a blue powder, which chemical testing revealed was pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical used in the manufacture of amphetamine-type substances including methamphetamine. It is illegal to import pseudoephedrine without a permit.
Customs manager of Investigations Queensland Alex O'Brien said: "Customs and Border Protection continues to work with other agencies and state police to ensure our communities are protected from these dangerous drugs."
The Laidley man was found guilty and received a suspended nine-month sentence and was released on a 30-month good behaviour bond when he fronted the Ipswich Magistrates Court.
