Australian authorities are intensifying efforts to combat the illegal importation and misuse of the drug butanediol, also known as 'bute' or the 'date rape drug'.

Since its classification as a border-controlled drug, over 4,200 liters of bute have been seized in Sydney, including a significant seizure of 660 liters in early May 2024.

Bute, originally an industrial chemical for plastic production, can be converted into gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a drug linked to sexual assaults and overdoses.

Reports indicate an increasing association of bute with date-rape cases, prompting authorities to target importers and distributors.

The drug is often smuggled in beauty products and food items from countries like China, raising concerns about criminal groups profiting from its distribution.

Importing a commercial quantity of bute could lead to life imprisonment, and the community is urged to remain vigilant about its dangers and avoid supporting illegal activities.