A Sydney man is the first person in Australia to be charged with supplying potentially lethal nitazene-laced vape liquid that police call a “disturbing evolution” in the illicit drug trade.
Following an investigation, NSW Police allegedly uncovered evidence that the 20-year-old man had been running a sophisticated illicit drug distribution model to facilitate the supply of the nitazene in vape liquid vials between March and July this year.
On Friday, detectives raided a property in Revesby in Sydney’s south where they allegedly located electronics, vape hardware, vials and more than $7,000 in cash.
Police said they also seized two imitation firearms, an electrical weapon and a safe, which they were unable to open at the property.
More than $7,000 in cash was allegedly found by police during the raid in Revesby. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Officers later cracked into the safe where they allegedly found a further 1.8 kilograms of nitazene, bringing the total amount of the drugs seized to 2.1kg.
A man was arrested at the property and charged with supplying prohibited drug in a commercial quantity and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.
Police allege the man was involved in the sale, preparation, and distribution of the vials, which were marketed as “supercharged”.
‘Disturbing evolution on the illicit drug trade’
In a statement, Drug and Firearms Squad commander Detective Superintendent John Watson said nitazenes were highly addictive and could be lethal.
“By lacing vape liquid with these synthetic opioids, suppliers are deliberately creating dependency, hooking users to ensure repeat business,” Superintendent Watson said.
“It’s calculated, dangerous, and entirely profit driven.”
Police said they seized two imitation firearms. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Superintendent Watson said this Australian first demonstrated a “disturbing evolution of the illicit drug trade”.
It is alleged that during the five-month period in March to July, 1,200 transactions occurred and at least $500,000 was exchanged through this enterprise.
Superintendent Watson said the business operated only on social media and was a “faceless and contactless” operation.
He said people would purchase the liquid with cryptocurrency and the supply would later be dropped off at an organised location, with a video sent to the buyer for them to pick it up.
It is understood several people had presented to hospital suffering from suspected opioid overdose, claiming to not know how they ingested it, which later formed part of this investigation.
“There is no question in my mind that the buyers potentially would not have even realised that they are taking nitazene and that makes it much more dangerous that these people have been using a synthetic opioid for months and potentially have become addicted to a synthetic opioid,” Superintendent Watson said.
Opioid more potent than heroin
According to NSW Health, nitazenes are extremely potent synthetic opioids which are more likely to decrease or stop breathing than other opioids.
Authorities said the drugs could be hundreds of times more potent than heroin and could cause severe overdose or death.
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Addiction specialist Hester Wilson warned about the dangers of synthetic opioids.
“Opioid overdose symptoms can include pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slow breathing/snoring or skin turning blue or grey,” Dr Wilson said.
“It is strongly recommended that anyone who uses any recreational drugs carry naloxone … a lifesaving measure which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, including from nitazenes.”