SA Police’s war on drugs nets record haul worth tens of millions of dollars
The state’s war on drugs has smashed dozens of secret labs and prevented tens of millions of dollars’ worth of illicit deals reaching our streets, new figures show. SEE WHERE DRUG LABS HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED.
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South Australia’s all-out assault on the scourge of amphetamines has shut down dozens of laboratories and prevented drugs worth tens of millions of dollars hitting our streets in the past 18 months, figures show.
In the 18 months from July 1, 2018, to the end of last year, 228kg of amphetamines – including ice or methamphetamine – was seized across South Australia, police data shows.
This was the equivalent of almost 2.3 million street deals worth more than $114 million.
A major bust at a Morphett Vale property in October 2018 uncovered 130kg of the drug.
By comparison, between January 2017 and June 2018, 23.3kg of methylamphetamine was seized by police.
Official figures also show that between July 2018 and June 2019, police dismantled 59 clandestine labs. Most were in Adelaide suburbs while others were discovered in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and Far North. Between July 1 last year and last week, a further 36 labs were raided by police, taking the total to 95.
In October 2018, police uncovered what they dubbed a “super lab”, capable of producing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine, at Croydon.
The data shows police are continuing to detect drug labs at a rate of more than five a month, after 142 were dismantled across the state during 2016 and 2017.
Authorities said they were paying significant attention to reducing the supply of drugs in the state, which had “undoubtedly saved many lives across South Australian communities”. They warned that drug labs were extremely dangerous for drug dealers, manufacturers, neighbours and emergency services.
Police have warned that most are squalid and contain corrosive, flammable or toxic chemicals that frequently spark fires and explosions.
State Government officials said a harder line has also been taken against drug-trafficking into prisons, while new laws had banned bikies and organised crime groups from visiting jails. Police Minister Corey Wingard praised officers’ “brilliant” efforts on “cracking down on drug traffickers and smashing labs” as he thanked efforts overseen by Commissioner Grant Stevens.
He said the seizures would have a “massive impact on the supply chain”.
“South Australians are sick and tired of drug dealers festering in our community,” he said.
“We’re getting on with the job of stamping out drugs and hitting these drug dealers where it hurts – the hip pocket.
“Breaking the business model is the first step to cutting down on drug-related crime and keeping our community safer.”
A police spokesman said drug labs posed a significant risk to the community.
“Clandestine laboratories typically involve toxic and explosive chemicals which continue to pose health and safety risks in properties long after the process is complete,” he said.
“Illicit drug manufacturers are not qualified; they operate in unhygienic environments and are driven by greed.
“They do not care about the risks or the devastating effect that the manufacture, sale and supply of illicit drugs has on our community.
“Whilst many clandestine laboratories have been successfully dismantled, police continue to work hard to target those criminals in our community who are responsible for the manufacture, sale and supply of illicit drugs.”
Latest national wastewater drug-monitoring program data reveals locations in Adelaide and Perth have the highest metropolitan consumption levels of methamphetamine, while regional SA and Victoria have the highest country rates.
The results show one SA regional site and one metropolitan site recorded more than double the national average consumption rates.
Anyone with information about drug dealing or the manufacture or possession of illegal drugs can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.