RECORD AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED IN 2000: REPORT

Australian law enforcement authorities seized record amounts of drugs last
year, according to a report being released today.

The Australian Illicit Drug Report for 1999-2000, to be released at an
international police conference in Adelaide, has found that in that period,
82,000 people were arrested and six-and-a-half tonnes of drugs were seized.

That figure included a record 717-kilograms of cocaine, nearly three times
the amount seized the year before and a record amount of ecstasy detected.

The report highlights concerns about an increasing number of smaller
amphetamine labs, particularly in Queensland and the increasing prevalence
of hydroponics in cannabis crops is seeing large amount of electricity
being stolen from the grid.

Heroin arrests have increased fivefold in the past 10 years and the report
also highlights the problem of drugs in prisons, estimating that up to 20
per cent of prison populations are users.

The Justice Minister, Chris Ellison says the report on Australia's illicit
drug trade shows the Federal Government's "tough on drugs" approach is working.

However, Senator Ellison says the amphetamine trade remains a big problem.

"One disturbing trend is the growing prominence of smaller amphetamine
laboratories and this is going to be another front that the law enforcement
agencies will have to concentrate," he said.