Methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin: 33 tonne illegal drug haul
More than 33 tonnes of illegal drugs have been stopped from entering Australian shores by federal police, including multiple attempts by syndicates to infiltrate Queensland.
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More than 33 tonnes of illegal drugs have been stopped from entering Australian shores by federal police, including multiple attempts by syndicates to infiltrate Queensland.
This financial year the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force have seized 11 tonnes of methamphetamine, 6.8 tonnes of 1,4-butanediol, 5.6 tonnes of cocaine, 1.8 tonnes of MDMA, 1.5 tonnes of ketamine and 745kg of heroin.
The amount of illicit drugs and precursors seized has increased by 7.1 tonnes compared to the previous financial year.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson said Australia was a huge target for international drug syndicates.
“Australia sadly remains a lucrative target for transnational serious organised crime and while these criminal syndicates continue to become more sophisticated in their attempts to smuggle harmful drugs into our country, the AFP and our law enforcement partners remain a step ahead,” Ms Hudson said.
“The increase in the number of seizures at the border, and successful AFP operations across Australia, should also serve as a warning to the criminal syndicates that are trying to bring these illicit drugs into this country.
“We are watching, we are ready and we will bring you to justice.”
Some of the largest seizures were attempts to bring drugs into Queensland, including an alleged import of 500kg of cocaine near Gladstone on a cargo vessel in April.
The AFP swooped on three men in an 8.2m-long boat when it returned to shore from the cargo ship in the middle of the night at Boyne Island boat ramp.
The AFP searched the vessel and found 15 waterproof dive bags that each contained 32 blocks of cocaine weighing about 1kg each.
All three NSW men were arrested and charged.
In August last year a Queensland trio were charged over their alleged involvement in the importation of about 560kg of cocaine discovered in a small coastal town in Western Australia that had been brought in by sea.
ABF Acting Commander Troy Sokoloff said the figures were significant.
“As the year draws to a close it’s quite sobering to see these figures and to consider the immense community harm that has been prevented by the dedication and significant efforts of officers in our agencies and law enforcement partners,” he said.
“We are keenly aware that Australia will continue to be targeted by criminals seeking to profit and cause the community harm, and our clear message is this: do not attempt to illegally import narcotics.
“Our highly skilled officers will detect them and you will face the full force of the law as a result.”
The AFP works with the ABF to dismantle syndicates bringing drugs into to the country through aviation, maritime and postal streams.
In 2021-22 there were 11,220 Australians admitted to hospital – the equivalent of more than 30 every day – as a result of methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin consumption.