Latest news with #StrikeForceSouthminster
The Australian
6 days ago
- The Australian
Revesby man charged in major Sydney nitazene vape liquid bust
A 20-year-old man has become the first person in Australia to be charged with supplying vape liquid laced with nitazene, a highly potent and dangerous synthetic opioid. The arrest follows an investigation by the NSW Police Force drug and firearms squad under Strike Force Southminster, which was established by THE State Crime Command to probe the supply of nitazenes across Sydney. Police allege the man was running a sophisticated illicit drug distribution operation between March and July this year, distributing vape liquid vials infused with the powerful opioid. Vials of vape liquid allegedly laced with the deadly synthetic opioid nitazene were seized during a police raid. Picture: NSW Police Detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Revesby about 12.10pm on Friday, August 1, with support from the public order and riot squad. During the search, officers seized electronics, vape hardware, vials, and $7180 in cash. Two imitation firearms and an electrical weapon were also seized and will undergo forensic examination. At the same time, the man was arrested at Liverpool Police Station and charged with supply of a prohibited drug in a commercial quantity and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. He was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, August 2, when bail was formally denied. He is due to appear again in Burwood Local Court on Wednesday, September 24. On Monday, August 4, police opened a safe seized during the Revesby raid and discovered a further 1.8kg of nitazene, bringing the total quantity seized in the investigation to 2.1kg. Police will allege in court the man was responsible for the preparation, sale, and distribution of vape vials marketed as 'supercharged' for profit. Detective Superintendent John Watson, commander of the drug and firearms squad, said distributing synthetic opioids through vape liquid presented a serious risk to public health. 'Nitazenes are highly addictive, incredibly potent and can be lethal. By lacing vape liquid with these synthetic opioids, suppliers are deliberately creating dependency, hooking users to ensure repeat business,' Superintendent Watson said. 'It's calculated, dangerous, and entirely profit-driven.' He said this marked the first time anyone in Australia had been charged with supplying nitazene-laced vape liquid, calling it a concerning development in the illicit drug market. NSW Police Detective Superintendent John Watson said the emergence of nitazene-laced vape liquid marked a disturbing new trend in the illicit drug trade. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Coker An imitation firearm seized during a police raid as part of an investigation into illegal drug supply. Picture: NSW Police 'This is also an important time to remind the public that vaping nicotine without a prescription is illegal in NSW, and when you buy illicit vapes, you have no idea what's inside,' Superintendent Watson said. 'You could be inhaling dangerous chemicals, heavy metals or, in this case, a synthetic opioid that's stronger than fentanyl.' He said anyone concerned about a vape product should stop using it immediately and seek medical advice. 'The public are also urged to report suspicious products to Crime Stoppers; your information could prevent serious harm being done to others,' Superintendent Watson said. Cash totalling $7180 was seized during the police raid linked to the alleged drug distribution operation. Picture: NSW Police NSW Health chief addiction medicine specialist Hester Wilson said authorities were increasingly worried about the potential harm posed by synthetic opioids. 'We want to remind the community of the dangers of synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, which can be stronger than fentanyl,' Dr Wilson said. She urged people to be able to identify the signs of an opioid overdose and take immediate action if they suspected someone was affected. 'It is strongly recommended that anyone who uses any recreational drugs carry naloxone,' Dr Wilson said. 'Naloxone is a lifesaving measure which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, including from nitazenes. 'Take-home naloxone is available as an easy-to-use nasal spray or injection from NSW community pharmacies, NSW Health needle and syringe programs, opioid treatment services and NUAA.' Andrew Hedgman Reporter Andrew Hedgman is a journalist for NCA Newswire. Andrew Hedgman
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney man charged after allegedly supplying deadly new opioid which can be 28 times stronger than fentanyl
A man has been charged after allegedly supplying a new type of synthetic opioid as police seized more than two kilograms of the drug, which can be as much as 28 times stronger than fentanyl. NSW Police have charged a Sydney man with drug supply and proceeds of crime offences, after he allegedly supplied vape liquid laced with nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioid which is often manufactured in China and cut into other substances. A police statement claimed that their inquiries uncovered evidence that the man was running a 'sophisticated' distribution model to supply the illicit drug. Detectives under Strike Force Southminster, established to investigate the supply of nitazenes across Sydney, searched a home in south-west Sydney about 12.10pm on August 1, police said in a statement. They allegedly seized vials containing nitazenes, electronics and vape hardware, as well as a safe, $7180 in cash, two imitation firearms and a Taser. On Monday, police reportedly also opened the safe to find a further 1.8 kilograms of nitazenes, bringing the total amount allegedly seized during their operations to 2.1 kilograms. The accused was arrested at Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. A NSW Police statement said it will allege he was involved in the sale, preparation and distribution of the vials – which were reportedly marketed as 'supercharged' – for profit. Health experts and law enforcement have repeatedly warned about the infiltration of nitazenes into Australia's drug supply, saying they pose a greater threat than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has led to more than 100,000 deaths in the US but does not yet have a strong presence in Australia. Intelligence collected by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) suggests nitazenes are being produced by pharmaceutical companies in China, where their production is banned, before being shipped directly to Australia or via intermediary countries, including the US and the UK.
The Age
6 days ago
- The Age
Sydney man charged after allegedly supplying deadly new opioid which can be 28 times stronger than fentanyl
A man has been charged after allegedly supplying a new type of synthetic opioid as police seized more than two kilograms of the drug, which can be as much as 28 times stronger than fentanyl. NSW Police have charged a Sydney man with drug supply and proceeds of crime offences, after he allegedly supplied vape liquid laced with nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioid which is often manufactured in China and cut into other substances. A police statement claimed that their inquiries uncovered evidence that the man was running a 'sophisticated' distribution model to supply the illicit drug. Detectives under Strike Force Southminster, established to investigate the supply of nitazenes across Sydney, searched a home in south-west Sydney about 12.10pm on August 1, police said in a statement. They allegedly seized vials containing nitazenes, electronics and vape hardware, as well as a safe, $7180 in cash, two imitation firearms and a Taser. On Monday, police reportedly also opened the safe to find a further 1.8 kilograms of nitazenes, bringing the total amount allegedly seized during their operations to 2.1 kilograms. The accused was arrested at Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. A NSW Police statement said it will allege he was involved in the sale, preparation and distribution of the vials – which were reportedly marketed as 'supercharged' – for profit. Health experts and law enforcement have repeatedly warned about the infiltration of nitazenes into Australia's drug supply, saying they pose a greater threat than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has led to more than 100,000 deaths in the US but does not yet have a strong presence in Australia. Intelligence collected by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) suggests nitazenes are being produced by pharmaceutical companies in China, where their production is banned, before being shipped directly to Australia or via intermediary countries, including the US and the UK.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
Australian first: Man accused of supplying supercharged opioid vapes
A 20-year-old man has become the first person in Australia to be charged with supplying vape liquid laced with nitazene, a highly potent and dangerous synthetic opioid. The arrest follows an investigation by the NSW Police Force drug and firearms squad under Strike Force Southminster, which was established by THE State Crime Command to probe the supply of nitazenes across Sydney. Police allege the man was running a sophisticated illicit drug distribution operation between March and July this year, distributing vape liquid vials infused with the powerful opioid. Detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Revesby about 12.10pm on Friday, August 1, with support from the public order and riot squad. During the search, officers seized electronics, vape hardware, vials, and $7180 in cash. Two imitation firearms and an electrical weapon were also seized and will undergo forensic examination. At the same time, the man was arrested at Liverpool Police Station and charged with supply of a prohibited drug in a commercial quantity and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. He was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, August 2, when bail was formally denied. He is due to appear again in Burwood Local Court on Wednesday, September 24. On Monday, August 4, police opened a safe seized during the Revesby raid and discovered a further 1.8kg of nitazene, bringing the total quantity seized in the investigation to 2.1kg. Police will allege in court the man was responsible for the preparation, sale, and distribution of vape vials marketed as 'supercharged' for profit. Detective Superintendent John Watson, commander of the drug and firearms squad, said distributing synthetic opioids through vape liquid presented a serious risk to public health. 'Nitazenes are highly addictive, incredibly potent and can be lethal. By lacing vape liquid with these synthetic opioids, suppliers are deliberately creating dependency, hooking users to ensure repeat business,' Superintendent Watson said. 'It's calculated, dangerous, and entirely profit-driven.' He said this marked the first time anyone in Australia had been charged with supplying nitazene-laced vape liquid, calling it a concerning development in the illicit drug market. 'This is also an important time to remind the public that vaping nicotine without a prescription is illegal in NSW, and when you buy illicit vapes, you have no idea what's inside,' Superintendent Watson said. 'You could be inhaling dangerous chemicals, heavy metals or, in this case, a synthetic opioid that's stronger than fentanyl.' He said anyone concerned about a vape product should stop using it immediately and seek medical advice. 'The public are also urged to report suspicious products to Crime Stoppers; your information could prevent serious harm being done to others,' Superintendent Watson said. NSW Health chief addiction medicine specialist Hester Wilson said authorities were increasingly worried about the potential harm posed by synthetic opioids. 'We want to remind the community of the dangers of synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, which can be stronger than fentanyl,' Dr Wilson said. She urged people to be able to identify the signs of an opioid overdose and take immediate action if they suspected someone was affected. 'It is strongly recommended that anyone who uses any recreational drugs carry naloxone,' Dr Wilson said. 'Naloxone is a lifesaving measure which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, including from nitazenes. 'Take-home naloxone is available as an easy-to-use nasal spray or injection from NSW community pharmacies, NSW Health needle and syringe programs, opioid treatment services and NUAA.'
