Drugs seized, 1600 arrested in mammoth week-long bust

Operation Vitreus also involved the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and New Zealand police.

The operation was focused on detecting and enforcing illicit drug and organised crime activity to reduce drug availability in the community.

A total of 528 search warrants were executed throughout Australia and New Zealand during the week-long operation.

Almost 1400kgs of illicit drugs and more than 2500 cannabis plants, with a street value of about $93m were seized along with 71 guns and $2.2m in cash.

It comes after the most recent criminal intelligence commission wastewater report found Australia had the second-highest methylamphetamine consumption per capita compared with 29 other countries. 

Australia also ranked 20th out of 32 countries for the consumption of cocaine, 15th out of 33 countries for the consumption of MDMA and third out of 20 countries for the consumption of cannabis.

In December 2023, there was record high cocaine consumption in capital cities and regional areas and record high methylamphetamine consumption in the capital cities.

Cannabis and methylamphetamine are consumed more than any other illicit drugs in Australia.

Federal Police Commander Paula Hudson said drugs were negatively impacting the lives of Australians in unprecedented ways.

"The harm caused by drug use can impact, directly and indirectly, on all Australian families and individuals," she said.

"The impacts range across the spectrum of health, social and economic harm. 

"Every week, on average, 16 Australians die from heroin, amphetamine-type stimulants or cocaine overdose."

Methamphetamine remains the most significant illicit drug threat to the Australian community and causes increased healthcare costs of $5 billion annually, loss of productivity and further criminal activity.