The latest quarterly report from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows that cocaine possession in NSW has increased by more than 40% over the last two years, with BOCSAR executive director Dr Don Weatherburn claiming that Sydney’s inner city and eastern suburbs were responsible for about 60% of the increase.
This is further supported by results of the federal government’s National Wastewater Drug Monitoring program which analysed samples from over 60% of Australia’s population between June and August 2017, finding that cocaine use is mostly centred in NSW.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said this data would help to “flush out the crooks responsible for this evil trade and protect the communities they are targeting”.
During 2016-17, seizures of cocaine increased significantly with the Australian Federal Police seizing 3.98 tonnes of cocaine over the period, up from 709kg the previous year.
