Qld leads nation in drug crimes despite Covid-19 pandemic

More than half of arrests for steroids across Australia were made in Queensland, shocking new police data reveals.

More Queenslanders were arrested for drug crimes than any other state, with new figures showing that 50,000 ­people were arrested in the Sunshine State across the 2020 financial year.

In its latest snapshot on the war on drugs, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has released data revealing the black ­economy of seized narcotics alone is now worth more than $9.7 billion a year.

Authorities seized 38.5 tonnes of drugs across Australia between July 2019 and June 2020 – up a staggering 315 per cent in the past decade.

Queensland police arrested 49,071 people for drug offences, far higher than the ­southern states of New South Wales and Victoria that ­arrested 36,868 and 34,627 people, respectively.

Most arrests in Queensland – at least 90 per cent – were for personal use rather than supply.

Cannabis accounted for 71 per cent of illicit drugs seized in Queensland, followed by amphetamines.

More than 50 per cent of arrests for steroids across the country were made in Queensland, despite NSW seizing three times more of the drug.

Dr Terry Goldsworthy

Bond University criminologist and former detective Terry Goldsworthy said he found the increase in drug seizures across Queensland and Australia perplexing in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I would have thought the figures would have decreased because police are being diverted to the borders and there has been less activity due to lockdowns,” he said.

“But I guess in times of stress people turn to drugs and there have been a lot of people ­losing jobs, which could have contributed to increased usages.”

ACIC spokesman Shane Neilson said Australia had unfortunately set new records for almost every drug type found by police and the ­markets for cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamines were expanding.

“Even over the past 12 months, there has been a 45 per cent increase in the weight of all drugs seized,” he said.

“Sadly it doesn’t surprise us. It shows the significant amount organised crime involvement in Australia.

“The good news is that these are drugs that are being seized, they are not on the streets and not causing harm.”

For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.