Australian police have announced the arrest of more than 1,600 individuals and the seizure of illicit drugs valued at approximately AUD 93 million (USD 63 million) during a week-long operation called Operation Vitreus.
Over 2,500 Cannabis Farms
According to Digi24 the operation took place from August 19 to 23 and aimed to reduce the presence of illegal drugs across the country.
Authorities reported that a total of 1,611 arrests were made nationwide on drug-related charges. The operation also led to the confiscation of nearly 1,400 kilograms of various drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine.
In addition, police discovered over 2,500 cannabis farms, contributing to the estimated total value of the seized drugs.
An Insatiable Demand
Dave Cowan of the Victoria Police emphasized the ongoing demand for illegal substances in Australia, stating:
“The AUD 93 million worth of illegal drugs seized last week shows the seemingly insatiable demand for illicit substances in our country.” He stressed the need to challenge societal attitudes regarding illegal drug use.
Katie Willis from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) warned that the threats posed by illegal drugs are becoming increasingly diverse.
She noted a rise in the use of nitazenes, a type of synthetic opioid that poses a greater threat to the Australian community than fentanyl. Willis pointed out that there has been an uptick in overdoses, some of which have been fatal, along with issues related to counterfeit drugs and organized crime connections.
According to ACIC data, cannabis and methamphetamine are the most commonly used drugs in Australia.
