Published Thursday, 19 June, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
McArdle stretching the truth on drugs in Queensland: Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence said the Opposition’s claim the state’s entire ‘cocaine problem’ has risen by 17,000 per cent is ridiculous.
Ms Spence said: “The fact is one big drug intercept can lead to a greatly inflated figure from one year to the next, and this is what is reflected in the Australian Crime Commission report into illicit drugs, released this week.
“The report shows that the rise in the amount of cocaine intercepted in Queensland from 942 grams in 2005/06, to 161kg in 2006/07, is largely due to one major intercept of 135 kilograms, detected in a sea cargo containment from Canada to Brisbane.
“Far from being an indication of a rising drug problem, these results show police in this state are doing an excellent job of keeping drugs off our streets.
“Mr McArdle’s claims that Queensland is becoming a major cocaine market are grossly untrue.
“A recent CMC report released in October last year actually commented that:
Although the cocaine market has expanded minimally in Queensland in recent years, it remains smaller than other illicit drug markets in the state. Queensland could be described as a secondary market to areas of larger cocaine demand such as Sydney and Melbourne.”
Ms Spence said the Queensland Government and police continue to take a proactive approach to tackling the drug trade and all organised crime in this state.
“I am pleased this report shows Queensland had a 109% increase in drug arrests – a result of targeted operations by our officers.
“We continue to work towards providing police with any and all powers necessary to combat organised crime and drug production in this state – while also maintaining appropriate safeguards for the community.
“Since the change in Federal Government last November, we are working with the Rudd Government, to see telephone interception legislation amended to allow a role for the Public Interest Monitor (PIM).
“Police already have access in this state to covert listening devices, which are overseen by the PIM. They also have access to telephone intercepts for joint operations with the AFP.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172
Ms Spence said: “The fact is one big drug intercept can lead to a greatly inflated figure from one year to the next, and this is what is reflected in the Australian Crime Commission report into illicit drugs, released this week.
“The report shows that the rise in the amount of cocaine intercepted in Queensland from 942 grams in 2005/06, to 161kg in 2006/07, is largely due to one major intercept of 135 kilograms, detected in a sea cargo containment from Canada to Brisbane.
“Far from being an indication of a rising drug problem, these results show police in this state are doing an excellent job of keeping drugs off our streets.
“Mr McArdle’s claims that Queensland is becoming a major cocaine market are grossly untrue.
“A recent CMC report released in October last year actually commented that:
Although the cocaine market has expanded minimally in Queensland in recent years, it remains smaller than other illicit drug markets in the state. Queensland could be described as a secondary market to areas of larger cocaine demand such as Sydney and Melbourne.”
Ms Spence said the Queensland Government and police continue to take a proactive approach to tackling the drug trade and all organised crime in this state.
“I am pleased this report shows Queensland had a 109% increase in drug arrests – a result of targeted operations by our officers.
“We continue to work towards providing police with any and all powers necessary to combat organised crime and drug production in this state – while also maintaining appropriate safeguards for the community.
“Since the change in Federal Government last November, we are working with the Rudd Government, to see telephone interception legislation amended to allow a role for the Public Interest Monitor (PIM).
“Police already have access in this state to covert listening devices, which are overseen by the PIM. They also have access to telephone intercepts for joint operations with the AFP.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172