It’s commonly sold as a powder, tablet or even vape liquid, and it can quickly kill you.
Of particular concern to health officials and law enforcement is the rising amount of a deadly synthetic opioid known as nitazene being smuggled into Australia.
Often more potent than fentanyl, nitazene was developed 60 years ago as an alternative to morphine but because of its high potential for overdose, the drug was never released.
The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force fear the rapid jump in nitazene busts indicates use of the drug is on the rise and that overdoses are sure to follow.
In April, NSW Health issued a public warning following a spate of severe nitazene overdoses in the Penrith area, in Sydney’s west.
Nitazene was found in drug samples taken from a cluster of around 20 overdoses reported in Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW Health said.
The drug is often cut into cocaine, heroin, MDMA or in counterfeit pharmaceuticals, leaving users unaware they are taking a very deadly substance.
In October, the AFP seized 742 tablets of nitazene after ABF officers had detected 22 suspicious mail packages sent from the United Kingdom.
Prior to those seizures, the ABF had only ever found nitazene twice.
In another case in 2023, a Western Sydney man was charged with importing a variety of illicit drugs to allegedly sell online, including 97 tablets of an analogue of nitazene.
The drugs, which were allegedly sold on the dark web, were concealed in a variety of items, including cookware, toy cars and a blackjack set.
Another case involved a Northern Territory man allegedly importing 5 grams of metonitazene through the mail posted from the UK.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson said there had been a spike in attempted imports of the drug last year and officials were anticipating the trend to continue.
“There is no such thing as a safe dosage when it comes to this drug,” she said.
“If you choose to take this drug, the risk you are taking is your own life.”
Asha Patwardhan, a commander with the ABF, said the ABF was deeply worried about the potential for nitazenes to cause significant community harm in Australia.
“The fact that we have begun to detect nitazene packages at the border is of great concern,” Patwardhan said.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
