27 Gallons of “Date-Rape” Drug Seized at Indianapolis Airport

Customs officers at an Indianapolis airport seized several shipments of a “date-rape” chemical on its way to destinations across the U.S.

A month-long sting operation by federal agents at Indianapolis International Airport (IND) has netted 27 gallons of Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), a substance US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers referred to as a threatening “date-rape” drug.

CBP officers at an express consignment facility at IND seized the chemical, which is used as a precursor to the Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance, throughout September. According to a statement released by the CBP, the chemical was shipped through the express consignment facility from several different countries around the world and addressed to various U.S. locations.

According to the CBP, the human body converts GBL to GHB when consumed. GBL has certain industrial applications, but the CBP notes “misleading invoice descriptions were attached to shipments in an attempt to disguise illicit contents.” Officials also say that the substance has been sold illicitly as everything from a weight-loss drug and cure for baldness, to an anti-aging treatment and sleep medication. The agency declined to reveal how the chemicals were shipped through the airport.

The CBP maintains an office at the FedEx Express Consignment Hub at IND. FedEx operates regional bonded customs centers at six airports in the U.S., including, IND, Miami International Airport(MIA), Oakland International Airport (OAK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

The CBP estimates the street value of the GBL seized is approximately $35,000.

[Photo: CBP]