By David Estcourt and Lachlan Abbott
Federal police have seized what they say is an extraordinary amount of pure fentanyl in Melbourne, enough for more than 5 million lethal doses of the fast-acting, highly addictive opioid.
AFP acting Commander Anthony Hall said on Monday that investigators had uncovered an illicit shipment containing 11.2 kilograms of the drug – which they estimate to be more than 5 million deadly doses – inside an industrial wood lathe on its way into Melbourne from Canada.
Australian Federal Police said a major drug shipment was intercepted at the Port of Melbourne.Credit: AFP
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used in limited circumstances to treat severe pain, is about 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine and is unusual to find in this quantity in the illicit Australian drug trade, police said.
Drug experts said authorities and health workers should remain vigilant to detect increases in fentanyl use, given Australia’s relatively minor uptake of the deadly narcotic and the exponential increase in mortality rates linked with the substance in the US.
Hall said the shipment arrived at the Port of Melbourne in December 2021. Officers inspected the industrial shipping container in February. The container also had about 30 kilograms of methamphetamine inside, police said.
Forensic officers in bio-hazard suits undertake the delicate and complex task of removing the illicit substances from the shipment.Credit: AFP
Australian Border Force commander James Watson said the size of the haul was “extraordinary”, given police typically detect only about a gram in other seizures.
“I’d describe it as a total act of bastardry, quite frankly. The impact of this on our community, had it reached the streets ... it doesn’t bear thinking about,” Watson said.
“Quite frankly, we’ve all been living through COVID over the last few years; it’s tough enough as it is, let alone to see this ... reaching our streets that we live in.”
Drug experts agreed that Australia, which has relatively little fentanyl use, is in a privileged position in comparison with countries such as the US.
The drug has had devastating effects in parts of the US. In 2021, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues drove drug overdose fatalities, with 71,238 deaths recorded by US authorities, an increase of about 23 per cent.
“If [the Melbourne shipment] is a sign, it’s really critical we continue to monitor it really closely,” said Professor Suzanne Nielsen, deputy director of the Monash Addiction Research Centre.
“We need to be ready to upscale treatment options, and upscale naloxone supply, as people may need to access larger quantities of naloxone to reverse an overdose if fentanyl emerges in the drug market.”
According to the most recent National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, undertaken by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the population-weighted average consumption of fentanyl had stabilised in Australia and was less prevalent than other narcotics, such as methylamphetamine and cocaine.
The shipment is inspected by forensic officeers.Credit: AFP
“Both oxycodone and fentanyl consumption was considerably higher in regional parts of the country in December 2021 compared to capital city consumption,” the December 2021 report said.
Hall said it was “highly unusual” to find the drug in Australia outside of its use for medicinal purposes, which is why the seizure stood out for authorities.
“Those of us around will know the epidemic that exists around the world and including our friends in the US,” he said.
“The statistics of deaths associated with fentanyl around the globe are staggering.”
Hall would not comment on which organised crime network they suspected was involved in the potential importation.
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report shows there has been a 5 per cent jump in Victorians receiving pharmacotherapy treatment from 2019 to 2021, the largest increase in the past decade.
The majority of the illicit fentanyl that is consumed in Australia has been stolen from hospitals and pharmacies.
Investigators say the amount of fentanyl sold illicitly is so low that there is no “street value” for the drug.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.