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Ice pipes, aphrodisiacs, deadly weapons and the meth ingredient used in cult TV show Breaking Bad are among the seized goods people tried to reclaim from Australian Customs this year, official figures show.
Rather than owners ducking for cover once their questionable imports were confiscated, they tried to have the goods returned on 401 occasions between February and May this year.
The goods were either seized at airports or intercepted in the post. They included an arsenal of weapons including knives, guns, throwing axes, knuckle dusters, hand claws and a single claim for 379 daggers.
Owners also sought the return of an electric shock device, body armour and a ballistic helmet.
The disappointed owners of a variety of drugs also wanted their goods back.
They made claims for seized aphrodisiacs, growth hormones, and phenylacetic acid – a key ingredient in the crystal meth "cooked" by chemistry teacher Walter White in the hit television program Breaking Bad.
Importers also tried to claim the exotic, naturally derived substances yohimbine (used for impotence), khat (a stimulant) and kava (used for sedative and hypnotic effect).
Several people objected to the seizure of their ice pipes, including one claim for more than 2000 of them.
Other claims pertained to "objectionable material and Viagra" and "ozone depleting substances".
Seized goods are held in a warehouse in each regional command of the Australian Border Force.
The Border Force says it returns about one-third of claimed goods, usually after the importer provides relevant permits.
Fairfax Media has sought comment on action taken against those who tried to import illegal goods.
