In a recent announcement, Australian authorities revealed that drug cartels hailing from Mexico, the United States, and Canada have surpassed competitors in Southeast Asia to become the primary suppliers of methamphetamine to Australia. The Australian Federal Police, in collaboration with international counterparts, disclosed that a staggering 23.6 tons of meth, produced in North America, were intercepted en route to Australia during the 2022-23 financial year.
According to police estimates, meth sourced from Mexico, the US, and Canada now constitutes a minimum of 70% of the meth, also known as ICE, present in Australia. This significant shift marks a decline in the dominance of Southeast Asian meth, which now accounts for less than 15% of drug seizures in the country.
While the exact quantity of meth originating from Mexico was not specified, authorities issued a stark warning, highlighting the escalating threat posed by Mexican cartels to Australia. The rise of North American drug traffickers targeting Australia underscores the evolving challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combatting transnational drug networks.
The alarming trend signals the urgent need for enhanced cooperation between international law enforcement agencies to stem the flow of illicit drugs into Australia and safeguard communities from the devastating impact of methamphetamine addiction.
