Cops seizing more coke, cannabis

THE number of cannabis and cocaine seizures has skyrocketed, according to the latest illicit drug data report.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission report also reveals the weight of all illicit drugs seized nationally in 2019-20 increased by 45 per cent – largely due to more amphetamines seizures.

Despite Covid-19 lockdowns restricting the movement of Australians in many states for the first quarter of the financial year, there were record increases in amphetamine, cannabis and cocaine seizures, along with arrests.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief executive Michael Phelan said the weight of illicit drugs seized nationally increased by 45 per cent to 38.5 tonnes in 2019-20, up from 9.3 tonnes in 2010-11.

“The illicit drug data shows there are some significant increases on previous years,” Mr Phelan said.

The estimated street value of the amphetamines, MDMA, cannabis, cocaine and heroin seized nationally in 2019-20 is about $9.7 billion, of which amphetamines account for almost 90 per cent.

Despite the effect of Covid-19 restrictions on drug markets in the last few months of 2019-20, many new seizure records were set.