The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has issued a stark warning about the dangers of illicit drug use, with a particular focus on nitazenes—synthetic opioids that are ten times more potent than fentanyl. These substances are increasingly being detected in Australia and have been found in cocaine, MDMA, GHB, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
Nitazenes come in various forms, including powders, tablets, nasal sprays, and vape liquids, and are often misrepresented as non-opioid substances. They pose significant health risks, including loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, erratic pulse, and even death.
Between January 2023 and September 2024, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted 64 nitazene shipments at the border. These imports, originating from Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Canada, were primarily smuggled via international mail.
In one case, police seized 4kg of a nitazene analogue during a raid in Doncaster East in June 2024, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old Malaysian national. In another, a Northern Territory man was charged for importing metonitazene from the UK in October 2023.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson highlighted the severe risks nitazenes pose, describing them as even more dangerous than fentanyl. “Two milligrams of fentanyl—the size of two grains of salt—is lethal. Nitazenes are ten times stronger,” she said.
“Taking nitazenes is like playing Russian roulette with your life.”
Hudson also expressed concerns for frontline workers who could accidentally be exposed to nitazenes through inhalation or contact during drug seizures.
ABF Acting Commander Troy Sokoloff emphasised the agency’s commitment to intercepting nitazenes at the border, labelling their rise a serious threat.
“These substances are causing deaths globally, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to disrupt smuggling networks targeting Australia.”
The AFP and ABF remain steadfast in their efforts to combat the spread of nitazenes and protect Australians from the devastating consequences of synthetic opioids.
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