1203 charged in Trans-Tasman illicit drug trafficking and organised crime operation

This is a joint media release between all Australian state and territory police forces, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Department of Home Affairs, New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs.

The operation, conducted from 14-18 September, was coordinated by the Australia and New Zealand Illicit Drug Working Group (ANZIDWG). The week of action involved every Australian state and territory police agency, New Zealand police and customs, AFP, ABF, ACIC, AUSTRAC and Home Affairs. It focused on disrupting organised crime networks involved in the importation, trafficking, production and distribution of illicit drugs to impact the availability of drugs in our communities and reduce the harms associated with drug supply and use.

National results from the execution of 560 search warrants and associated tactical actions include the seizure of:

• 16kg of heroin
• 254kg of methamphetamine
• 11.7kg of cocaine
• 4.6kg of MDMA
• 10kg of ketamine
• 580 litres of 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD)
• 716kg of cannabis and 8701 cannabis plants
• more than $2.05 million in cash
• 17 vehicles
• 71 firearms.

The seizure of firearms alongside illicit drugs highlights the broader criminal activity linked to organised crime and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to disrupt these networks.

Illicit drug trafficking contributes to a range of community harms beyond drug use itself, including violence, road trauma, property crime and other serious offending, placing pressure on communities, front-line responders and health services across Australia.

The results come as national wastewater data continues to indicate strong demand for illicit drugs across Australia, with methamphetamine, heroin, MDMA and cocaine consumption reaching record levels.

ANZIDWG chair, AFP Superintendent Jim Rowe, said the operation highlighted the power of a coordinated national and international response to serious organised crime.

"This week of action demonstrates the strength of law enforcement partnerships to identify, target and disrupt serious organised crime wherever it operates,” Supt Rowe said.

“By combining our capabilities, intelligence and expertise, we can more effectively target organised crime groups and make Australia and New Zealand a more hostile environment for those seeking to operate outside the law."

Queensland Police charged 380 people with 1662 offences and seized significant quantities of illicit drugs and weapons during the ANZIDWG week of action.

Seizures included 1.6kg of methamphetamine,1.1kg of heroin, 5.5 litres of 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD), 386kg of cannabis and 375 cannabis plants and amounts of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.

Police also seized more than $401,000 in cash, 39 firearms, 57 knives, 14 tasers, five batons during the week of action.

Queensland Police Service Detective Inspector Brad Phelps from the Drug and Serious Crime Group said the results demonstrate the continued commitment of police and law enforcement agencies to disrupting the supply of illicit drugs across Australia.

“Methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin illicit drug markets remain a significant concern for police, and our focus is on targeting the individuals and criminal networks responsible for their importation, trafficking, production and distribution.

Every seizure and arrest represents drugs that will not reach the community. These substances cause significant harm, destroy lives and generate profits for organised crime that fund further criminal activity.

“These are high harm drugs and every seizure and arrest represents drugs that will not reach the community and cause further harm. Dangerous drugs destroy lives and fund further criminal activity, which is why we will continue to pursue those involved in the trafficking of dangerous drugs.

“The use of illicit drugs impacts the wider community through links to road trauma and offences of violence, including domestic violence. It also has serious health impacts on individuals and causes lasting harm to families and loved ones."

The ANZIDWG provides an opportunity for all Australian state and territory police, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and New Zealand Police to work collectively across jurisdictions, share intelligence and target the people and networks responsible for importing, trafficking and distributing illicit drugs.