The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) have jointly issued a public warning amid growing concerns over the influx of a dangerous illicit drug, nitazene, into the country. Following a significant rise in attempted imports of nitazene, authorities fear that this potent substance could soon flood Australian streets, posing serious health risks to the public.
Nitazene, an illicit synthetic opioid, has been identified in numerous air and mail cargo detections at the Australian border over the past year, considered to be as potent as, if not more potent than fentanyl, this drug has raised alarm bells among law enforcement agencies.
In October 2023 alone, ABF officers intercepted 22 suspected nitazene imports concealed within postal packages originating from the United Kingdom (UK). These detections led to the seizure of a total of 742 tablets confirmed to contain metonitazene, a variant of nitazene. This surge in detections marks a concerning trend, as prior to this, only two instances of the synthetic opioid had been identified by ABF.
In one case, a Northern Territory man was charged for allegedly importing 5 grams of metonitazene through mail cargo from the UK. The AFP initiated the investigation after receiving a referral from the Commonwealth Agencies Operation Centre (CAOC) regarding a suspicious postal package destined for the Northern Territory.
Another incident involved the arrest of a Western Sydney man in August 2023, who allegedly attempted to import a variety of illicit drugs, including 97 tablets of a nitazene analogue, for online sale. These drugs, believed to have been sold on the dark web, were cleverly concealed within everyday items such as cookware and toy cars.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson emphasised the increasing trend of nitazene importation and the ongoing efforts to disrupt the illicit drug supply chain.
Hudson stated, “Nitazenes were never approved for any therapeutic purpose due to their adverse effects and high risk of overdose. If you choose to take this drug, the risk you are taking is your own life.”
Nitazenes, available in various forms including powders, tablets, nasal sprays, and vape liquids, are often disguised as other substances such as cocaine, heroin, MDMA, or counterfeit pharmaceuticals. The potency of nitazene poses a grave risk of overdose or death, either independently or when combined with other illicit drugs.
ABF Acting Commander Trade East Asha Patwardhan echoed these concerns, emphasising the ABF’s commitment to preventing illegal imports of nitazene. Patwardhan stated, “The ABF will stop at nothing to prevent such illegal imports from making it to Australia,” highlighting the agency’s dedication to protecting the Australian community from the harm posed by these dangerous substances.
As authorities intensify efforts to combat the influx of nitazene into Australia, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking. With collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community awareness, steps can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with this potent and potentially lethal drug.
The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
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