SYDNEY: Australian law enforcement agencies seized a record 27.3 tonnes of illegal drugs and made more than 112,049 drug arrests last financial year – the highest on record.
The Australian Crime Commission’s Illicit Drug Data Report revealed marijuana continued to dominate the Australian drug market with more than 66,000 arrests and seven tonnes of the drug seized.
The report also revealed Queensland recorded three times more clandestine laboratory detections than any other state or territory.
But it is the destructive drug crystal methamphetamine, ice or meth as it is commonly known, that has authorities across the nation concerned.
Australian Crime Commission chief Chris Dawson said 10 tonnes of benzaldehyde, a chemical used to make methylamphetamine, was also seized last year.
“This equates to an estimated 45 million individual street deals with an estimated value of more than $3.6 billion,” he said.
“Illicit drugs are often behind violent crimes and put immense strain on our health services.
“Organised criminals driving this insidious trade are profiting from our misery.”
