Global record haul of synthetic drugs worth almost €1bn

Seizures included 900kg of crystal methamphetamine in Australia, trafficked from the United States, which police said was in line with intelligence showing a 'shift' in the supply of the drug by cartels in Mexico.

An international police operation has resulted in record seizures of synthetic drugs, worth almost €1bn.

It included 900kg of crystal methamphetamine in Australia, trafficked from the United States, which police said was in line with intelligence showing a “shift” in the supply of the drug by cartels in Mexico.

It follows the seizure last year of over half a tonne of crystal methamphetamine in Cork, which investigators believe was sent from Mexico for onward shipment to Australia.

In a statement, Interpol, the international police body, said Australian organised crime groups were establishing closer relationships with Mexican cartels.

“An international operation coordinated by Interpol against drug trafficking in South-East Asia led to record seizures of synthetic drugs valued at some $1.05 billion [€.95bn],” the statement said.

“With the value of drugs seized stemming from just 58 seizures, the operation highlighted the considerable profits crime networks make from the synthetic drug market and the threat posed to all regions by transnational organised crime groups.” 

It said the operation was conducted between July 22 and August 7 last and involved Australia, Cambodia, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.

“A seizure of nearly 900kg of crystal methamphetamine in Sydney was traced back to the United States,” it said.

“This aligns with intelligence suggesting that the source of Australia’s methamphetamine is shifting from South-East Asia to North America, driven by closer ties between Australian transnational organised crime groups and Mexican cartels, indicating changes in global drug trafficking routes.”

Last March, the EU Drugs Agency said US Drug Enforcement Agency intelligence suggested there was a strategy among Mexican cartels “to control that [crystal meth] market worldwide”. 

This has involved Mexican “cooks” being sent to work in industrial laboratories in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The Interpol statement also detailed other drugs that were seized, including 1.5 tonnes of ketamine in South-East Asia.

It said this area was a major source of ketamine for global markets, with the rapid growth in the trade reflected in the volumes seized.

Irish authorities have reported an increase in ketamine use and seizures.

The Interpol statement also identified a new trend: “Another emerging threat identified involves ‘Happy Water’, a synthetic drug popular in South-East Asia’s nightlife, which contains methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, benzodiazepines, and caffeine. 

"Happy Water is marketed in commercial-style packaging, misleading consumers about its highly dangerous content.” 

Interpol’s secretary-general Jürgen Stock said: “Drug trafficking remains the cornerstone of transnational organised crime. It is also fuelling increased violence in the streets, undermining businesses, communities and even countries."