Two Australians jailed for 25kg of imported testosterone powder.

An investigation by the Australian Customs and Border Service (ACBPS) has resulted in the sentencing of two men in the Sydney District Court yesterday for importing over 26 kilograms of testosterone into Australia. A 36-year-old man was sentenced to two years imprisonment, while a 38-year-old man to three years imprisonment. The investigation began on Monday, 17 December 2012, when ACBPS officers in Sydney examined three separate parcels from China. Several plastic containers in the parcels were opened and found to contain a white powdery substance, which initially tested positive for testosterone. On Thursday, 20 December 2012, ACBPS officers conducted a controlled delivery of the parcels, along with a number of search warrants. The men were subsequently linked to the parcels and were arrested. Both were charged with one count of Section 233BAA (4) of the Customs Act 1901 for importing over 26 kilograms of an anabolic-androgenic steroid (testosterone). ACBPS Acting National Manager Investigations, Paul Benussi, said the sentences were a significant warning to others thinking of importing performance and image enhancing drugs without a permit. “Customs and Border Protection takes the prohibited importation of drugs seriously and will pursue legal action to ensure offenders face the full force of the law,” Mr Benussi said. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of up to $170,000 and/or up to five years in prison.