Minister for Police Michael Daley today announced Police had seized more than $181 million worth of illicit drugs already this year as part of their ongoing crusade against drugs.

Mr Daley said NSW Police had seized nearly twice as much cocaine and more than four times as much heroin so far this year than for the whole of 2008.

“These results show Police are having a big impact on the amount of drugs making their way onto our streets,” he said.

“The amount of heroin seized equals more than 22 million hits that now won’t be used.

“These hauls also hamper crime syndicates and keep would-be drug users out of our hospitals,” Mr Daley said.

In the nine months from 1 January to 9 October, Police seized:

• $100 million worth of cannabis plants;
• $17 million worth of heroin;
• over $11.5 million of cocaine; and -
• more than $21.5 million worth of amphetamines.

“The latest crime statistics show an increase in the number of people caught with drugs like cocaine and heroin, which shows NSW Police are catching dealers, many of which are part of outlaw gangs to get more drugs off our streets,” Mr Daley said.

“We’re also working closely with interstate police, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission.

“But the fight against drugs isn’t just one for law enforcement agencies to undertake – everyone in the community has a part of play.

“If you know of any drug activity happening in your area, I strongly encourage you to alert your local Police,” he said.

Some recent examples of drug operations include:

• The seizure of more than one kilogram cocaine, 2000 ecstasy tablets and $50,000 in cash as part of a drug bust in the eastern suburbs. Five people have been changed in relation to the operation.

• Six people charged over a syndicate in the Penrith area supplying large commercial quantities of MDMA. Over 3,000 tablets seized along with a large amount of cash, guns and other drugs.

• Drug raid at Turil near Mudgee where Police seized 963 cannabis plants. Two people were charged with Cultivate Commercial Quantity Cannabis following this raid.

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