COCAINE MARKET 'SET TO INCREASE' IN QLD

The prevalence of cocaine in Queensland is set to expand in the next three
years as organised crime and bikie gangs work together to traffic the drug,
a new report says.

A CMC study into trends in the Queensland cocaine industry concluded that
while cocaine is less prevalent than amphetamines and cannabis, its market
had expanded in recent years and had the potential for further growth.

CMC intelligence director Chris Keen said the supply of cocaine was
increasing as crime groups begin to work with each other to import the drug.

"Our intelligence information indicates that outlaw motorcycle gangs are
becoming increasingly involved in the distribution of cocaine and some
culturally-based crime syndicates have also become involved in trafficking
this illicit drug, seemingly in search of bigger profits," Mr Keen said.

Premier Anna Bligh said an increase in drug use was a by-product of the
state's massive population growth.

"As we see our population grow that brings many benefits to Queensland,
unfortunately it also sometimes brings increased activities that are
undesirable," Ms Bligh told reporters.

"With more people moving here, unfortunately we do see an increase in some
of those areas such as drug use."

There was no "silver bullet" when it comes to combating drug use, Ms Bligh
said.

Opposition police spokesman Rob Messenger said more needed to be done to
allow authorities to crack down on organised crime in Queensland, before
the state became the "organised crime capital of Australia".

He also called on the government to support his private members bill making
it an offence to be a member of an organised criminal group, when
parliament sits next week.

"While the Labor government has taken a softly, softly approach to
organised crime where outlaw bikie gangs are granted liquor licences and
police are paid to work at bikie gangs' charity days, the Queensland
coalition believes tougher laws are needed to tackle organised crime at its
source," Mr Messenger said.

Ms Bligh said the government was always willing to look at any proposals
from the CMC to assist in its work to smash organised crime.