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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Ice rising in Canberra

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AUSTRALIAN Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) chief Chris Dawson says the total number and weight of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) seizures in the Australian Capital Territory has significantly increased, according to a new report.

“The Illicit Drug Data Report 2014–15, released today, shows the total number of ATS seizures in the Australian Capital Territory has increased by 67 per cent, with a total weight increase of more than 104 per cent from 2013–14,” Chris said.

“The total number and weight of national ATS seizures has risen, with a record 12.6 tonnes seized.

“The Australian Capital Territory reported the greatest percentage increase in the weight of other and unknown drugs seized during 2014–15.”

Commander Andrea Quinn of ACT Policing said that too often police see the devastation that is caused to individuals caught in the grip of illicit drug use, and the community around them.

“As police, our focus is on targeting and apprehending those who choose to manufacture, traffic and sell illicit substances,” Andrea said.

“ACT Policing would like to thank the community for their ongoing assistance in working with police to put these offenders before court, breaking the chain of supply.”

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the combined efforts by agencies has led to an increase in illicit drug seizures and arrests nationally.

“This year’s report demonstrates the close collaboration between law enforcement agencies has led to 13.7 per cent more drugs seized and 19.5 per cent more arrests from the previous year.

“But we are not complacent. Disrupting the supply chain for narcotics is vital to ending the devastation of illicit drugs. The AFP has recently recommitted to close working relationships with China, Vietnam and Cambodia to address the shared threat of transnational and organised crime. These partnerships provide significant value for Australian law enforcement in terms of our understanding of concealment methods, trafficking routes and syndicates facilitating narcotic imports into Australia.”

“Due in part to our wealthy status and our use of technology, Australia remains a target for criminal networks. The illicit drug data report is imperative in providing intelligence to the AFP’s International Network and aids in the development of off-shore partnerships to target illicit drug importation at its source,” Commissioner Colvin said.

Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner, Roman Quaedvlieg, said the ABF will continue to work closely with its partners to combat the threat of illicit drugs.

“While it is satisfying to note increased detections and arrests by the law enforcement community, it’s also a salutary reminder that the threat posed by illicit drugs is ever present,” he said.

“At this time, the most prominent of those threats is methamphetamine and its precursors and derivatives. The ABF is working with its partners to combat this pernicious drug.”

The Illicit Drug Data Report 2014–15 is a statistical report which provides governments, law enforcement agencies and policy makers with a robust picture of the Australian illicit drug market. It pulls together data from all state and territory police agencies, the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection/Australian Border Force and forensic laboratories.

For the first time, the report includes data from wastewater analysis to provide law enforcement, policy, regulatory and health agencies with additional and more objective data in relation to the usage of methylamphetamine and other drugs.

“The statistics in the report will inform prioritisation and decision-making to help protect Australia and minimise the threat, harm and destruction caused by illicit drugs,” Mr Dawson said.

The Illicit Drug Data Report 2014–15 is available online at acic.gov.au.

[Photo by Steven Depolo, attribution licence]

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