14 June 2002

Media Release

SIGNS OF DRUG DROUGHT ENDING SHOULD BE CAUSE FOR GREATER VIGILANCE

The drug drought may be ending according to Queensland police information said Cr Thang Ngo.

Queensland police Commissioner, Tony McGrady told Queensland Parliament today that the drop in heroin supply from war torn Afghanistan has encouraged producers in Asia's golden triangle, especially in Burma to boost production.

A bumper crop is expected this year and according to the United Nations, Burma will become the world's largest producer of heroin this year.

Cr Ngo said this had implications for Australia and Cabramatta.

"We've had good gains in terms of the drug problem in our community from the compound positive effect of greater police activity and the heroin drought" Cr Ngo said.

"Now that the drought is beginning to end the implication is that Police will need to be even more vigilant and work harder in Cabramatta to compensate".