More than 5 pounds of 'liquid ecstasy' found on traveler at Atlanta airport, CPB says

Aug. 26 (UPI) -- More than 5 pounds of a chemical known as "liquid ecstasy" and "coma in a bottle" were seized from a traveler who landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, U .S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday.

On Wednesday, officers stopped a 26-year-old U.S. citizen who had arrived on a flight from Spain.

During a search of the traveler's luggage, officials say they found two bottles of clear liquid that together filled about 2 1/2 quarts. The traveler, whose identity has not been released, was turned over to the Clayton County Police Department.

Officers used a handheld elemental isotope analysis to determine it was gamma-Butyrolactone, which officials say is an industrial chemical solvent used to make a highly addictive drug.

The Schedule 1 drug, known as GBL, can cause respiratory distress, coma and death. Also, it's a precursor chemical to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, which is used as a date-rape drug, too.

"Our CBP officers are highly trained to uncover various methods used to conceal controlled substances," said John Quintana, CBP Atlanta acting area port director, said. "This seizure is a testament to our officers' expertise in detecting illicit substances and the use of technology to identify and stop dangerous substances from making its way into our communities."

In 2023 , customs officials in Philadelphia intercepted a shipment of six gallons of GBL at a port on its way from France to the Tampa, Fla., area.

An average of 2,895 pounds of dangerous drugs are seized daily entry points via air, sea and land, according to CBP.