Drug crime is on the rise in Mildura after a two year pandemic related drop, according the latest statistics

After a noticeable downturn during the pandemic, recent stats show drug crime is on the rise again in Mildura.

Drug crime in Mildura is on the rise again according to new statistics from the CSA

Drug crime in Mildura is on the rise again following a significant downturn during the pandemic.

The latest data released by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) showed a noticeable dip in arrests for both drug possession and drug trafficking in 2021 and 2022.

According to the same statistics, those numbers rose again in 2023, although they still fell some way short of the behemoth numbers posted in 2020.

POLICE EFFORTS & OPERATIONS

Mildura Divisional crime manager Detective Senior Sergeant Liam Tinkler told the Herald Sun said while the numbers had risen since 2022, they were “well below levels seen in 2020” — the last “normal year” of operations.

“Investigators within the Mildura Divisional Response and Crime Investigation Units are dedicated to targeting anyone involved in manufacturing and trafficking illicit drugs,” he said.

In September 2023 alone police made nine arrests following a six-month investigation into an alleged crime syndicate trafficking a variety of illicit drugs in the Mildura area.

As part of that operation, police executed six search warrants at properties across Mildura and seized trafficable quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

As police continue to work tirelessly to keep illicit drugs off the streets, to ensure safety of people living in Mildura, they urge community members to report any suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers.

IMPACT IN COURT

Despite police’s best efforts, drugs are a persistent undercurrent to a lot of crime that goes through Mildura Magistrates’ Court

Recently, Zac Tatchell was given six months behind bars after he was busted with a stash of drugs and $14,000 in cash.

Hong Van Nguyen was jailed in April after being found with nearly a kilogram of cannabis, and even more being found at his home address.

Many cases heard in Mildura have, either direct or indirect, links to drugs in some way, shape or form.

He was also busted with more than 7g of heroin in 19 separate packages, a gram of methylamphetamine and 25 canisters of suboxone.

The connection between crime and drugs are not always so direct, however.

Daniel Carter was recently jailed for 20 months after a brutal assault that was heavily influenced by drugs.

Meanwhile, one local attempted an audacious escape from the dock in court after being denied bail on alleged car theft, firearms and drug charges.

During his bail application he admitted his drug problem and told the magistrate jail was “only going to make me worse”.

COMMUNITY & HEALTH RESPONSE

As drugs remain an issue across the Sunraysia region, Mildura stands as the epicentre of drug activity, with other locations barely registering in the data.

Sunraysia Community Health Services mental health and drug and alcohol coordinator Emma Steele confirmed the grim reality that drug use was not going away.

“Drug use in the region is definitely not decreasing,” she told the Herald Sun.

Ms Steele highlighted the disparity in resources between regional centres and their city counterparts, calling for improved state and federal funding to close the city-country gap.

“We need more funding — there are not enough funded programs available,” Ms Steele said. “We’re inundated every day with referrals and people trying to seek help. It is really hard to keep up.”

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Some state government relief is on the way as a 30-bed rehabilitation centre earmarked for the region.

However, that is unlikely to materialise until 2026.

A more exact date might be nailed down when the Department of Health (DOH) delivers an expected update in the back half of 2024.

“The process to find a suitable site for the facility is nearing completion and an update on its location will be announced in coming months,” a department spokesperson said.

The ideal location is being sought at the moment, with the DOH looking for somewhere near related services that will link in with the broader community and health system.