Drug chemicals found in tennis racquets

Updated: 09:50, Wednesday November 20, 2013

Customs officers have seized four kilograms of the prohibited precursor drug chemical ContacNT concealed inside tennis racquet handles sent to Sydney from Singapore.

Officers at the Sydney Mail Centre discovered the chemicals after X-raying a package on Sunday.

The handles were found to be filled with pink and yellow granules consistent with ContacNT, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) said in a statement on Wednesday.

ContacNT is a cold and flu medication containing high levels of pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical used to manufacture the illegal drug methamphetamine.

ACBPS Acting National Manager Cargo Operations John Ikin said the drugs were particularly well hidden but the agency had the technology and resources to detect such illegal goods.

Those caught importing prohibited goods such as ContacNT face a fine of up to $170,000 and/or five years in prison.

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Drug chemicals found in tennis racquets