A man and a woman both from Port Vincent in South Australia, were arrested this morning following the discovery of the highly toxic drug fentanyl, during a search of a Port Vincent address on Friday 18 November 2016, according to SA Police.
The arrests and the seizure of the fentanyl is part of an ongoing joint agency operation involving Australian Federal Police, SAPOL and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, including its enforcement arm, Australian Border Force (ABF), entitled Operation POST.
Operation POST commenced in South Australia in 2014 against a background of an increase in the popularity of new psychoactive substances. This collaborative project targets individuals linked to the supply of illicit drugs, drug precursors and laboratory equipment sourced or traded via the internet or ‘darknet’.
Police warn that new highly toxic drugs such as fentanyl are finding their way into the Australian illicit drug market. Fentanyl is a fast acting, highly potent synthetic opioid reported to be between 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It is highly toxic and an overdose can lead to disorientation, respiratory problems, unconsciousness and death. There have been a number of deaths in South Australia and nationally / internationally suspected to be linked to the drug. Traditionally, fentanyl is used as a pain-relief drug in the treatment of severe chronic pain associated with surgery or cancer. It is commonly prescribed pharmaceutical analgesic that is safe to use when prescribed by a medical practitioner.
Police remain extremely concerned about the emerging use of illicit fentanyl which can be absorbed through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion. Contact with even a minute amount of fentanyl carries a significant risk of accidental opioid overdose. Police want to remind the public that any suspected opioid overdose requires urgent medical assistance.
Police warn that fentanyl is so toxic that it not only places drug dealers and users at serious harm but carries a significant risk to friends and family who may accidently come into contact with it. Investigating police also face the genuine risk of accidental expose and overdose.
The named partner agencies, through Operation Post and other detection initiatives, remain steadfast in the pursuit of individuals who use technology-based applications to source and market illicit drugs such as fentanyl through local and international postal streams.
The man and woman both 31-years-old were arrested this morning, Wednesday 14 December and both charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drug and traffic a controlled drug, namely Fentanyl.
They have both been refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court later today.
