Week-of-action crackdown on illicit drugs announced

Posted on 25/09/2023

As a 6-month national focus on the illicit drug trade enters its final week, Crime Stoppers SA has joined forces with SA Police to encourage Adelaide residents with information about the illegal drug trade to anonymously say something before it’s too late.

The week-of-action crackdown follows the recent release of Report 19 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, which found South Australia ranked first nationally in capital city consumption of methylamphetamine, and second in consumption of cannabis.

The week-long campaign has a focus on the metropolitan area, and follows targeted regional community engagement in the Murraylands, Barossa Valley, Riverland, South East and Eyre Peninsula.

Crime Stoppers SA CEO, Nigel Smart, said the call for information is expected to deliver a last-minute burst of anonymous information about the local illicit drug trade.

“We understand that people who are in, or closely linked to, the illicit drug trade may not want to deal directly with police but still want to speak up. Crime Stoppers provides the perfect option for anyone with information because they can anonymously share what they know without needing to get involved, make a statement or risk their own safety.”

“There are plenty of examples where someone in the illicit drug trade reaches a point where they feel in over their head and have threats of violence made to them or their families. Crime Stoppers offers them a way to share what they know anonymously, which means no one will ever know who contacted us,” Mr Smart said.

Independent research commissioned by Crime Stoppers found illicit drugs remain the number one crime of concern for all Australians, with recent wastewater testing results confirming methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin as the most dominant illicit drugs used in the nation. In South Australia, every second contact to Crime Stoppers is about illicit drugs in the community.

Despite organised drug syndicates becoming more and more sophisticated, SA Police continue to seize significant amounts of illicit drugs, on an almost weekly basis – and often thanks to information shared through Crime Stoppers.

“Drugs have an insidious impact on our community – not just for the health and wellbeing of those using them, and their families, but for the whole community. We know there is a strong nexus between illicit drug use and criminal behaviour,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Catherine Hilliard.

“Information provided to Crime Stoppers helps SAPOL build up a picture of crime and community concerns in a particular area.

“Police outcomes won’t always be obvious to the community, or as instant as some may like, but we are always taking drug crime seriously and working on detecting, investigating and arresting those responsible.”

The national campaign, developed in consultation with police, industry groups and other law enforcement agencies, also encourages employees in the freight, logistics and security industries to anonymously share information with Crime Stoppers if they see suspicious activity.

These industries are being increasingly targeted by organised crime, with suspicious activity including large shipments paid for in cash, colleagues becoming secretive, interested in inaccessible areas or showing off extravagant items beyond their current means.

Anyone with information about the illicit drugs trade, can anonymously submit a tip at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or freecall 1800 333 000.

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