Drug offences increase
Police battle against illegal substances intensifies in pandemic
THE dangers of drugs have not deterred addicts, dealers and suppliers amid COVID-19 as police nab more drug offenders while the rest of Townsville’s crime rate dwindles.
Queensland Police data shows drug offences are one of the only set of crime statistics to have increased since coronavirus took a hold of the region, climbing more than 100 charges from March to April.
Meanwhile, property crime has tumbled more than 53 per cent in the same time period.
The new data comes as Townsville University Hospital’s emergency department dealt with a steady increase of patients with amphetamine-related presentations since the start of this year.
Townsville Police credited the increase to a spate of arrests.
“Unlike assaults and property offences, an increase in drug arrests can often be attributed to proactive operations where police specifically target local drug syndicates,” a Queensland Police spokeswoman said.
“Townsville District staff, in conjunction with State Crime Command, Major and Organised Crime Squad, continue to conduct operations targeting these syndicates.”
Police recorded a 52 per cent increase in drug possession charges, and issued more than double the amount of drug supply charges and drug producing charges from March to April.
The most concerning drug in Townsville was still methamphetamine as police seize regular amounts of both meth and marijuana.
Since the start of the year police have cut off major supply chains in some huge busts, including 2.2kg of methamphetamine in a fourmonth operation between detectives at Townsville and Moreton.
“Ice is an insidious drug with farreaching side effects for the user, their family and the wider community,” she said.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service data states 91 amphetamine-related incidents from January to April compared to 60 last year.
Queensland Police stated drug offences in Townsville were relatively consistent over recent months, with a small decrease in offences in March.