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Examining supply changes in Australia's cocaine market
Caitlin E Hughes1, Jenny Chalmers, David A Bright
1Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. caitlin.hughes@unsw.edu.au
Drug and Alcohol Review
|September 13, 2011
Summary
Recent data indicates an expansion in cocaine supply and distribution within Australia, with a notable shift in trafficking routes and geographic use. This diversification may heighten organized crime risks nationwide.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Public Health
- Illicit Drug Markets
Background:
- Increased media attention on cocaine seizures in Australia.
- Uncertainty regarding the expansion of cocaine supply despite large seizures.
- Need to examine evidence for increased cocaine importation, distribution, and use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine evidence for increased cocaine supply in Australia.
- To determine the scale and nature of any apparent increase in cocaine supply.
- To utilize proxy indicators of cocaine importation, distribution, and use.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of eight proxy indicators for cocaine importation, distribution, and use.
- Utilized publicly available, Australia-wide data on border seizures (weight, mode, origin).
- Examined trends over a 12-year period (1997-1998 to 2009-2010).
Main Results:
- Evidence of increased cocaine importation since 2006-2007, though less than 1998-1999 to 2001-2002.
- Observed diversification of trafficking routes beyond Sydney.
- Noted shifts in the geographic distribution of cocaine use.
Conclusions:
- Congruent indicators suggest a recent expansion in cocaine supply and distribution in Australia.
- Significant shift in the nature of supply, with growth beyond New South Wales.
- Diversification of supply routes may increase risks of market entrenchment and organized crime.
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