Man jailed over cocaine imports to pay for new business
A man who wanted to start a business but had wasted all his money on cocaine took up a cash offer to collect the drug after it had been imported into Australia.
drug trafficking
Court approves travel for ex-Lib leader on drug charges
Former South Australian opposition leader David Speirs, who quit parliament after being charged with supplying drugs, has faced court for the first time.
Greece arrests pair suspected of MDMA smuggling to Aust
Police have seized about 56 kg of the psychedelic drug MDMA and nearly 30kg of crystal meth, in one of Greece's biggest busts of the drugs.
Ketamine abuse hits record high
The abuse of ketamine - the drug that killed Friends actor Matthew Perry - is at record levels in Australia.
Drug stigma laid bare in frank talk behind closed doors
Frank discussions about drugs have taken place behind closed doors with advocates telling police and politicians a different response is urgently needed.
Olympic kayaker pleads guilty to cocaine import attempt
Olympian Nathan Baggaley and his brother Dru have admitted trying to import $200 million worth of cocaine after previously having their convictions quashed.
Out of commission gang fed ‘massive appetite’ for coke
Police have announced the takedown of a group allegedly governing cocaine supply and have moved on to finding who will fill the void.
Cops ‘infected’ phones to spy on organised crime plots
The alleged creator of an encrypted communications app is among dozens of people arrested in nationwide raids led by Australian Federal Police.
Save lives: plea to NSW premier after overdose deaths
A Greens MP has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to fast track drug testing laws after two people died from accidental heroin overdoses at a house party.
Jailed drug dealer laments ‘worst job he ever had’
Peter John Kelso told police after his arrest on a range of drug trafficking and possession charges that dealing was a terrible business, a court was told.
Common drugs being laced with deadly potent synthetics
Extremely potent synthetics drugs that have already caused dozens of overdose deaths in 2024 are being found in vaping liquid, ecstasy and depressants.
Mood-altering drug use a ‘human right’: top prosecutor
Australia's longest-serving public prosecutor is pushing for a Portuguese-style cannabis model that decriminalises drugs and brings users before experts.
Border force finds $13.4m worth of meth in luggage
A Canadian national has been charged after being picked up at Brisbane Airport for allegedly attempting to import 14.4kg of methamphetamine into Australia.
‘Transnational’ gang behind billion-dollar meth import
A man has been charged over an international plot to import almost a tonne of methamphetamine inside industrial machinery, but the ringleaders remain at large.
Jail for ‘runner’ over woman’s brutal bushland murder
A long-term criminal who was ordered by his drug running boss to help brutally murder a woman in Sydney bushland could spend over 25 years behind bars.
US arrests leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel
In a major blow to Mexico's powerful Sinaloa Cartel, drug kingpin "El Mayo" and a son of his ex-partner "El Chapo" have been arrested in Texas.
Mexico drug kingpin pleads not guilty to US charges
There are reports a younger man arrested alongside a Mexican drug cartel kingpin lured him to the US where both were arrested, as part of a plea bargain.
Drug trafficker admits sex offences against teen girl
A drug trafficker has admitted indecently dealing with a 13-year-old girl he met online while he was pretending to be a teenager.
Mum calls for ‘love and hope’ after daughter murdered
The mother of a woman whose battered body was found burnt in bushland has remembered her kind and generous daughter while calling for an end to violence.
Cannabis, meth dominate Australian drug use: report
Wastewater analysis shows Australians have a preference for illicit stimulants compared to other nations' citizens but cannabis is still the most popular drug.
Firearms and cocaine trafficking leader jailed
A 24-year-old leader of a gun-running and drug trafficking ring that supplied assault rifles and cocaine across Queensland has been given a lengthy jail term.
Kingpin accused over $683m drug plot fails in bail bid
A man charged over a 900kg drug importation attempt that led to cocaine washing up on NSW beaches remains behind bars after his bid for bail was refused.
Race driver’s bankruptcy led to ‘medley’ of drug abuse
A former V8 Supercars racing driver started abusing multiple drugs after COVID-19 restrictions forced his business into bankruptcy, a judge has heard.
Ecstasy and agony as pill testing gets another backer
Victoria has become the third Australian jurisdiction to legalise pill testing following a spate of drug overdoses and deaths at music festivals.
Granny-flat hideout clue in search for drug diver
Police have carried out a forensic search on a Sydney property where a missing Brazilian man linked to a Newcastle cocaine haul is thought to have hidden out.
Olympic medallist, drug dealer Miller granted parole
Scott Miller won two Olympic medals but was devastated neither was gold, before a descent into substance abuse led him to a prison he will soon leave.
Drugs, weapons, cash seized in major trafficking busts
Lengthy drug-trafficking investigations across three states have resulted in the seizure of dozens of weapons and almost a million dollars of drugs and cash.
Men jailed over ‘greedy’ plot to aid cocaine smuggling
Two men have been jailed for chasing easy money by attempting to recover 48 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipping container.
Pair guilty over cocaine hidden in shipping container
Two men played loud music in their van after they thought they had found a shipping container with 42 packages of cocaine hidden inside.
Father of NRL Broncos star arrested on drugs charges
The father of Brisbane Broncos NRL star Payne Haas is facing extradition to Indonesia after being arrested on drug charges in the Philippines.
Man jailed over drugs in shipping container wins appeal
A man who was sentenced to more than a decade in jail for allegedly trying to retrieve 26kg of cocaine from a warehouse has had his conviction overturned.