A total of 26.8 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors was seized by border officials in the 2022-2023 financial year, almost four tonnes more than in the 12 months before.
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The Australian Federal Police said the illicit drugs that were seized included methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and precursors.
The AFP said its work with Border Force stopped about $10.7 billion in community harm.
ABF Commander James Copeman said there was a significant increase in the amount of drugs seized, cocaine in particular.
"The ABF are seizing more than twice the amount of cocaine we did last year," Commander Copeman said.
He said Australia is confronting a global surge in trafficking.
"Methodologies that criminal groups are using to attempt to import illicit goods are constantly changing, some include hull attachments on ships, drops at sea or use of trusted insiders and couriers on cruise ships," he said.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson said Australia is an attractive target for transnational serious organised crime, with syndicates attempting to import harmful illicit drugs into the country by any means possible.
"The seizure of 26.8 tonnes of drugs and precursors is a major achievement and highlights that as hard as these criminal syndicates may try, the AFP, together with our state, Commonwealth and international law enforcement partners, remain a step ahead," she said.
She said the capture of the illicit drugs meant the disruption of the domino effect drug use can have on emergency services, hospitals and first responders.
In it's 2023 annual report, the AFP announced 66 tonnes of illicit drugs were seized by overseas police with AFP assistance.
Australian Associated Press
