A man has avoided jail after trying to buy methamphetamine from the China-based Alibaba website and import it into Australia disguised as rust treatment chemicals.
Kyran David Harris, 46, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday to one count of attempting to import a border-controlled drug into Queensland with no commercial intent.
The crown prosecutor said police had searched Harris's home at Oxley in Brisbane's southwest in February 2022 and found messages on his computer concerned with buying a "small quantity" of meth for personal use.
Harris asked the online seller: "Can't we label it what it is, a rust converter?
"It is for me, can we get around customs?"
The prosecutor said Harris had ordered isopropylbenzene from the same seller and later told police he had wanted to order the chemical at a cheap price.
"Isopropylbenzene is seen as a cutting agent in methamphetamine, so that might explain why it was being advertised as the same product," the prosecutor said.
Harris's barrister, Eleanor Lynch, said her client had initially tried to describe the purchase as lawful to police but soon after had made extensive admissions about his "unsophisticated" offending.
"He found the listing on Alibaba, which is like a Chinese Amazon, via a targeted ad on Facebook for chemicals related to his car business," Ms Lynch said.
Ms Lynch said Harris had long-term issues with drug use but this was the first time he had tried to buy meth online.
"He has made significant progress in his life recently, he is employed ... he is speaking to a GP and he is motivated to cease his use of meth," Ms Lynch said.
Judge Carl Heaton said Harris had an "appalling history" with drugs and his latest offence was serious but he would take into account his co-operation with police and guilty plea.
"It is very much in your interest to unshackle yourself from the drug use that has plagued your life," Judge Heaton said.
Judge Heaton sentenced Harris to nine months' imprisonment but ordered he be released immediately on a $1000 good behaviour bond for the next 12 months.
