South Australia Police (SAPOL) has joined SA Health in issuing warnings over the synthetic opioid 'nitazene' following recent seizure of dangerous illicit drugs from a Brompton address.
A 47-year-old Brompton man and 45-year-old Brompton woman will face court in October after their arrest last week, charged with traffic controlled drug.
At about 12 noon on Thursday 18 July, following an investigation, officers from SAPOL's Serious and Organised Crime Branch attended a Brompton house to conduct a search.
Inside the home officers located approximately 198g of nitazenes, 200 Xanax tablets, 98 Suboxone strips, quantities of Valium, Diazepam and Oxycodone tablets, and $15,000 in cash.
Packaging and postal stationary items also located indicate the occupants were selling drugs via post.
Officer in Charge of SAPOL's Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Detective Superintendent Shane Addison, said police are "extremely concerned" drugs containing nitazene are being sold locally.
"Nitazenes are being identified and seized at increasing rates across Australia and South Australians are at increasing risk of harm from these very toxic illicit drugs," he said.
"SAPOL takes the trafficking of illicit drugs seriously and actively targets those suspected of being involved in criminal activity.
"Intelligence identified suspicious activity associated with the Brompton address which resulted in the search following a thorough investigation."
The seized nitazenes were quoted as having strengths between 100 and 2000 times more powerful than morphine, with one of the nitazenes located being 25 times more potent than fentanyl.
According to SA Health, nitazenes have been implicated in at least 10 Emergency Department presentations in SA between July 2023 and January 2024, however many opioid overdose presentations would not have been tested for nitazenes.
SAPOL records reflect seven fatal overdoses have been linked to nitazenes since January 2022, with 13 known non-fatal overdoses during the same period.
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) Statewide Clinical Director, Dr Victoria Cock, warned drug users may unknowingly consume nitazenes, which are being detected mixed in other illicit substances.
"Nitazenes are highly toxic in small doses and are often hidden within other substances, such as oxycodone, methamphetamine, heroin and GHB," she said.
"We stress that even small exposures to nitazenes could cause overdose and death.
"People who use drugs are not always aware these drugs are present in the substance they are consuming. It is important to be cautious, especially if obtaining from a new source or if a product looks different."
Dr Cock explained signs of opioid overdose include tiny pupils, slowed breathing, blue lips and fingernails, as well as loss of consciousness or being hard to rouse.
"If someone has taken an illicit drug and is experiencing adverse effects, please call Triple Zero (000) or present to your closest Emergency Department immediately", she added.
Meanwhile, the Brompton pair were bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 2 October 2024.
Anyone with information about the possession, distribution or sale of illicit substances is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or 1800 333 000 – you can remain anonymous.
