Aussies snort more than four tonnes of cocaine every year: ACIC report

Australians are snorting more than 4.1 tonnes of cocaine every year, according to a new report. The startling statistic follows a Daily Telegraph investigation which revealed rampant cocaine use at the NSW ski fields.

Drug testing detected cocaine in the toilets of 14 pubs and restaurants in Thredbo and Jindabyne.

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Australians are hoovering more than 4.1 tonnes of cocaine up their noses every year amid record seizures and arrests over the pricey powder, according to a new report.

The startling figure comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed rampant cocaine use at the NSW ski fields with drug tests detecting the illicit substance in the toilets of 14 pubs and restaurants at Thredbo and Jindabyne on the weekend.

Venues included The Brumby Bar and The Station in Jindabyne as well as Keller Bar in Thredbo, which also tested positive to amphetamines.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission report released today reveals a record 30.6 tonnes of illicit drugs, with an estimated street value of $5 billion, were seized nationally in 2017-2018.

“Using data from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, the ACIC estimates more than 4.1 tonnes of cocaine is consumed in Australia each year,” it said.

New records set included 5,096 cocaine seizures and 4,325 cocaine arrests.

The testing was prompted by the discovery of 384kg of cocaine found hidden in an excavator from South Africa.

Figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show a clear spike in drug offences over the ski season in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area, which encompasses Thredbo, Jindabyne, Cooma and Perisher.

Police recorded seven incidents of cocaine possession between June and September last year and none at any other time of the year with the same trend mirrored for ecstasy and amphetamines.

Between March 2015 and March 2019, incidents of amphetamine and ecstasy possession jumped from three to 11 and one to 10, respectively, while cannabis dropped from 68 to 57.

Punters partying at The Brumby Bar in Jindabyne.

Monaro Police District Commander, Superintendent Paul Condon, said regular police and “intelligence-driven” operations are underway in the alpine region.

“We are using numerous methods including covert and high visibility police operations to proactively target individuals and groups who are involved in illegal drug supply,” Supt Condon said.

“Whenever we see an increase in population, we see an increase in anti-social behaviour — including drug use — and we will continue to combat this behaviour.”

He called on the wider community to rethink their drug use.

“By working together to reduce the demand, we can hit these illegitimate businesses where it hurts the most: on their bottom line,” he said.

Superintendent Paul Condon said regular police and “intelligence-driven” operations are underway in the alpine region. Picture: Hamish Blair

An overall drop in the number of drug offences in the Snowy Monaro council area from 185 in the year to March 2016 to 108 in the year to March 2019 suggests police are clamping down on large scale suppliers to prevent drugs coming into the region in the first place rather than targeting small time dealers and recreational use by thrillseeking holiday-makers.

While the 926.5kg of cocaine detected at the Australian border in 2017-2018 was a decrease from the previous year’s record haul, it was still the second highest weight recorded in the last decade.

A staggering 384kg of the cocaine seized, close to half of the annual haul, had allegedly been hidden in an excavator delivered to a landscape supplies business in Bungendore owned by Karabar man Adam Hunter.

The Telegraph revealed Rebels bikies were allegedly behind the shipment — the largest drug seizure ever co-ordinated by ACT Police.

Adam Hunter, 33, has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a controlled drug. Picture: Facebook.

Mr Hunter and his self-employed associate Timothy Engstrom have not entered pleas after being charged with the importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

They remain behind bars and their cases are next listed at Queanbeyan Local Court on September 9.

Neither of the men are Rebels gang members.

BOCSAR data shows that between April 2017 and March 2018, 27 offenders received community sentences for drug possession or use in Cooma Local Court, which deals with drug crime stemming from the ski fields.

Drug Wipes used to test for illicit substances at licensed venues in Thredbo and Jindabyne.

Four people received community sentences at the court for dealing or trafficking illicit drugs in the year to March 2018 with none taken into custody.

Monday’s story in the Telegraph stated mandatory random drug testing had been introduced for staff at Thredbo this season but in fact it has been undertaken in previous years.

Kosciuszko Thredbo, the head leaseholder of Thredbo Resort, declined to answer questions about how long it had been undertaking tests or their results.

Cocaine found in the excavator which came from South Africa before it was intercepted in Port Botany.

General manager Stuart Diver said they take any allegations of drug and alcohol use on the mountain extremely seriously and work closely with the local police to deliver a safe experience for their guests and staff.

“All Kosciuszko Thredbo staff are inducted and trained in our code of conduct, which includes a strict drug and alcohol policy, random mandatory drug testing and we continually review and enhance our policies and procedures against industry best practice,” Mr Diver said.

“We have zero tolerance for any breaches of this policy and formal acceptance is conditional as part of our employee on-boarding every season.”

There is no suggestion staff are taking drugs.