Latest news with #methylamphetamine
SBS Australia
4 days ago
- SBS Australia
Australians are using 'ice', cocaine and heroin at record levels
Wastewater analysis has shown significant growth in the consumption of illicit drugs in Australia. Methylamphetamine (ice), cocaine and heroin were all found at record highs. It has boosted the illicit drug trade, with an estimated $11.5 billion being spent. Australia's insatiable appetite for illicit drugs is fuelling demand from international crime groups and drug dealers cashing in on the lucrative market. Analysis of wastewater by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, in partnership with universities, detected a growth in consumption of major illicit drugs around the nation. Methylamphetamine (ice), cocaine and heroin were all found at record highs in the latest analysis, which began in 2016. More than 22 tonnes of those three drugs, as well as MDMA (ecstasy), was consumed in Australia in the year to August 2024, according to the wastewater analysis. It has boosted the illicit drug trade and the profits for organised criminals, with an estimated $11.5 billion being spent. Cocaine use increased almost 70 per cent, MDMA almost 50 per cent, and heroin almost 15 per cent. The commission's drug specialist Shane Neilson said the market was rebounding after consumption dropped amid tighter border controls and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Large profits from a consumer base willing and able to pay higher prices than other global markets are driving the business. Drug traffickers will throw tonnes of product at Australia's borders, knowing whatever gets through will make enough money to outweigh losses from seizures, some of which outweigh total detected annual consumption, Neilson said. "It's just a relentless determination of transnational and domestic serious and organised crime groups to continue to supply the Australian market," he said. Organised crime groups are also thought to be fuelling a rise in illicit tobacco, but while nicotine consumption reversed a decline in the second half of 2024, it's impossible to determine what proportion of it was obtained on the black market. Ketamine use is also on the rise. Forensic analysts believe the majority of the general anaesthetic being consumed is imported and illicit, with the drug's use in medical and veterinary settings less prevalent. It's the same for cannabis, despite thousands of people being medically prescribed. "Although the number of users of medicinal cannabis is increasing, it's small relative to the overall use of cannabis," Neilson said. The nation's multi-billion-dollar splurge on illicit drugs sends profits solely to organised criminals, the crime commission said. "There is no taxation on these profits and economically it does have an impact," Neilson said. The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey suggests nearly one in two Australians aged 14 and over (10.2 million people) had illicitly used a drug at some point in their lifetime, including the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals. An estimated one in five (3.9 million) used in the past 12 months.
ABC News
13-06-2025
- ABC News
Woman jailed for five years over role in Kimberley meth trafficking ring
The final member of a drug trafficking ring caught transporting methylamphetamine on a remote highway in WA's Kimberley has been jailed for five years. Merlou Abais Ruiz, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply it. Ruiz received the five-year sentence in the Perth District Court on Thursday. Detectives charged Ruiz in 2022 as part of Operation Beaufortia, a major offensive by WA police to crack down on the supply of drugs in the Kimberley region. All three of her co-accused have already been sentenced for their part in the drug operation. Gary Troy McIntosh and Mark Richard Shadforth were sentenced to five years and six months and five years and eight months, respectively, in October 2024. Trent Bin Omar was sentenced to five years and nine months in December 2024 for his role in the operation. As part of the police operation, detectives intercepted Shadforth's calls in July 2022, leading authorities to intercept the group's car on the Great Northern Highway near Broome. Ruiz was initially released without charge until she was again intercepted three months later, on October 13, carrying 10.58 grams of methylamphetamine. Judge Gary Massey told the court he was "prepared to accept" Ruiz had "very much played a lesser role" in the offending, primarily driven by her own addiction to the drug. Judge Massey described his consideration for Ruiz's personal circumstances, including her unstable childhood, with emotional and physical abuse, neglect and poor attachments to her parents. However, the District Court Judge said there was a "significant need for general deterrence" given the harm caused by meth in the state's north. "Small towns in the Kimberley have been very much affected by methylamphetamine reaching the streets in those communities," Judge Massey said. "Those who seek to profit from that misery can expect to receive significant terms of imprisonment … to stop others from offending in this way. "You chose to possess methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply to others on separate occasions." The 47-year-old's sentence was backdated to December 2022 to account for the time Ruiz had already spent in custody. She will be eligible for parole on December 31 this year.
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Nineteen people charged with drug offences after major Queensland operation
Nineteen people have been charged with 271 drug offences related to the alleged supply of supply of cocaine, methylamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis and heroin throughout Queensland Officers from the Mount Isa Tactical Crime Squad started Operation Whiskey Decker in June 2024 to investigate an alleged methylamphetamine trafficking syndicate operating in north-west Queensland. With help from the Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS), officers identified a network of alleged drug traffickers responsible for the supply of cocaine, methylamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis and heroin throughout the state. The arrests were carried out across Mount Isa, Mackay, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Logan on May 20-21. Police said they had seized more than $110,000 in cash, 35g of cocaine and more than 270g of methylamphetamine. Mount Isa District Tactical Crime Squad officer in charge Sergeant Nate Carlton said significant resources had been used in the operation. "We are committed to disrupting the trafficking and supply of drugs and ask the public to continue assisting us by providing any information regarding drug supply," Sergeant Carlton said. Sergeant Carlton urged members of the public with any knowledge of the use, supply or trafficking of serious drugs to report the matter via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00. Those charged include nine people in Mount Isa, four in Mackay, one in Ipswich and four on the Gold Coast and in Logan. Charges include trafficking dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing things used in commission of a crime, possessing drug utensils, possessing property suspected of being acquired from supply, unlawful possession of Category M weapon, money laundering, arson and supplying a firearm. The majority of those charged are due to appear in court between June and August.
ABC News
16-05-2025
- ABC News
Tasmania Police seize more than 3kg of the drug ice after Spirit of Tasmania terminal screening
Four people have been charged after police found a "significant quantity" of the drug ice in three separate searches in Tasmania's north-west this week. "The methylamphetamine [ice] seized by our officers in the north-west in the past few days could have resulted in more than 35,000 individual street deals," Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said. On Wednesday afternoon, police found 3.39kg of ice and 5 litres of the drug GHB during routine screening at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Devonport. A 27-year-old Bracknell woman was later charged with major trafficking, importation of a controlled drug, dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime, and other minor drug offences. The matter is now before the Devonport Magistrates Court. "Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders who attempt to import illicit substances into Tasmania," Western District Acting Commander Nathan Johnston said. In an unrelated incident, two people were charged with trafficking after police seized 63 grams of ice. "Members of Taskforce Scelus attempted to intercept the vehicle during routine patrols at West Ulverstone on Tuesday afternoon, when the driver allegedly evaded officers," police said. They used road spikes to stop the vehicle and said the driver and passenger, a West Ulverstone man, 29, and a Newnham woman, 24, were "safely taken into custody". The man and the woman were jointly charged with trafficking and minor drug offences, and the man was also charged with evading police (aggravated circumstances), and multiple driving-related offences, including unlicensed driving. They were both remanded in custody. The man was due to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court on Friday, and the woman on June 4. Police also found a quantity of ice at a Devonport home, in another unrelated search. Police said a north-west man, 51, had been charged over allegedly selling a controlled drug, possessing a controlled drug, and using a controlled drug. They also alleged the man was a member of the Outlaws motorcycle gang. He is due to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
