Concerns over influx of crystal meth into Australia
Eight Chinese nationals are facing charges following major Ice bust in Australia. Criminal groups increasingly focused in the country, UN expert says
Drug gangs behind the flood of mainland-produced crystal meth being shipped through Hong Kong to Australia seem to be trying to expand their trade in the country.
A top regional United Nations drug official expressed concerns over a “steady supply” of meth targeting both Australia and New Zealand. His comments came as charges were filed against 14 people, including eight Chinese nationals, following the seizure of some 200 kilograms of methamphetamine – also known as meth or Ice – worth approximately A$200 million (HK$1.15 billion) on the west coast of Australia last month.
If put on the market, the quantity could have equated to more than two million individual doses.
This was the biggest meth seizure in Western Australia this year, and also the largest since the seizure of more than 320 kilograms of the substance in September 2015.
According to the regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Jeremy Douglas, Australian authorities have reported that mainland China is the main source of meth and Hong Kong is used as a transhipment point.
He noted that trafficking syndicates have their sights set in Australia and New Zealand. “Without knowing what the trafficking groups are planning, we doubt they are more focused on Western Australia compared to other parts of Australia or New Zealand,” Douglas said.
“There have been quite a few very large meth seizures over recent months at the Australian border, and just over a week ago in New Zealand, and it is clear organised crime from the region is moving a steady supply towards both countries,” he described.