Media Release
More than 1200 charged in Trans-Tasman illicit drug trafficking and organised crime operation
This is a joint media release between all Australian state and territory police forces, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Department of Home Affairs, New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs.
Police and law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand have charged 1203 people with 3339 offences and seized significant quantities of illicit drugs, firearms and cash during a national week of action targeting drug trafficking and organised crime.
The operation, conducted from 14-18 September, 2026, was coordinated by the Australia and New Zealand Illicit Drug Working Group (ANZIDWG). The week of action involved every Australian state and territory police agency, New Zealand police and customs, AFP, ABF, ACIC, AUSTRAC and Home Affairs.
It focused on disrupting organised crime networks involved in the importation, trafficking, production and distribution of illicit drugs to impact the availability of drugs in our communities and reduce the harms associated with drug supply and use.
National results from the execution of 560 search warrants and associated tactical actions include the seizure of:
- 16kg of heroin
- 254kg of methamphetamine
- 11.7kg of cocaine
- 4.6kg of MDMA
- 10kg of ketamine
- 580 litres of 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD)
- 716kg of cannabis and 8701 cannabis plants
- more than $2.05 million in cash
- 17 vehicles
- 71 firearms.
The seizure of firearms alongside illicit drugs highlights the broader criminal activity linked to organised crime and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to disrupt these networks.
Illicit drug trafficking contributes to a range of community harms beyond drug use itself, including violence, road trauma, property crime and other serious offending, placing pressure on communities, front-line responders and health services across Australia.
The results come as national wastewater data continues to indicate strong demand for illicit drugs across Australia, with methamphetamine, heroin, MDMA and cocaine consumption reaching record levels.
ANZIDWG chair, AFP Superintendent Jim Rowe, said the operation highlighted the power of a coordinated national and international response to organised crime.
"This week of action demonstrates the strength of law enforcement partnerships to identify, target and disrupt organised criminal networks wherever they operate,” Supt Rowe said.
“By combining our capabilities, intelligence and expertise, we can more effectively target organised crime groups and make Australia and New Zealand a more hostile environment for those seeking to operate outside the law."
The AFP seized 68kg of illicit drugs during the ANZIDWG week of action, including:
- 11.4kg of heroin
- 8.4kg of methylamphetamine
- 1.4kg of cocaine
- 3.1kg of ketamine
- 24.4L of 1,4 butanediol
- 8.1kg of cannabis
- 1.3kg of opium; and
- 9kg of methadone
The ANZIDWG provides an opportunity for all Australian state and territory police, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and New Zealand Police to work collectively across jurisdictions, share intelligence and target the people and networks responsible for importing, trafficking and distributing illicit drugs.
