Australian Border Force

The AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) have seized more than 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors in the past financial year. The majority of illicit drugs seized include methamphetamine (11t), 1,4-butanediol (6.8t), cocaine (5.6t), MDMA (1.8t), ketamine (1.5t) and heroin (745kg). The amount of illicit drugs and precursors seized in 2023-24 was an increase compared to the previous financial year, with an additional 7.1 tonnes of border-controlled drugs seized by the AFP and ABF at the border and across Australia. The AFP works with ABF to disrupt the attempts of criminal syndicates to import and traffic illicit drugs through the aviation, maritime and postal streams. In April, 2024, the AFP charged three men from New South Wales over an alleged import of 500kg of cocaine into regional Queensland via a large cargo vessel. The AFP searched the vessel and found 15 black and yellow waterproof bags that each contained about 32 blocks of a substance that tested positive to cocaine. Each block weighed about 1kg. More than 4200 litres of 1,4 Butanediol, known as ‘bute’, has been seized by authorities in Sydney since a change in Commonwealth legislation in March 2024 defined it as a border controlled drug (Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No.2) Act 2023). The seizures included 180 litres of bute imported from China and was concealed in bottles labelled as body oil. The ABF alerted the AFP who executed search warrants in Fairfield and Lidcombe where an alleged additional 1000 litres was found. In a separate matter, a trio from Queensland was charged for their alleged involvement in the importation and possession of about 560kg of cocaine allegedly discovered during a search warrant in a small coastal town of Western Australia in August, 2023. Police alleged the men were Australian members of a transnational criminal syndicate that imported the illicit drugs into WA by sea. AFP Commander Paula Hudson said the AFP’s seizure of 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs during the past financial year had prevented serious harm to Australians as a result. “Australia sadly remains a lucrative target for transnational serious organised crime and while these criminal syndicates continue to become more sophisticated in their attempts to smuggle harmful drugs into our country, the AFP and our law enforcement partners, remain a step ahead,” Commander Hudson said. “The AFP remains committed and focused on targeting, identifying and disrupting these attempts to import harmful illicit substances into our country, and is dedicated to bringing those responsible to justice. “The increase in the number of seizures at the border, and AFP successful operations across Australia, should also serve as a warning to the criminal syndicates which are trying to bring these illicit drugs into this country. We are watching, we are ready, and we will bring you to justice.” ABF Acting Commander Troy Sokoloff praised the efforts of ABF and AFP officers in 2024. “As the year draws to a close, it’s quite sobering to see these figures and to consider the immense community harm that has been prevented by the dedication and significant efforts of officers in our agencies and law enforcement partners,” Acting Commander Sokoloff said. “We are keenly aware that Australia will continue to be targeted by criminals seeking to profit and cause the community harm, and our clear message is this: Do not attempt to illegally import narcotics. Our highly skilled officers will detect them and you will face the full force of the law as a result.” There were 11,220 Australians hospitalised – the equivalent of over 30 hospitalisations every day in 2021-22 – from methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin consumption. 1 December 2024 Source: AFP