AFP chief links organised crime wave to illicit drug demand
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett says Australia's illicit drug use fuels organised crime violence and mistaken-identity murders.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett has called for a national conversation linking illicit drug use to organised crime violence. Two mistaken-identity murders in Sydney within one week, linked to gang activity, have prompted her warning.
Barrett says criminal gangs drawn to drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin also traffic illicit tobacco. Barrett notes gangs are increasingly using young offenders, some just in their early teens, to carry out violent reprisals.
This increases the risk of wrong targets being killed. The NSW government responded by announcing life sentences for people planning gang-related murders and adult time for young offenders.
Barrett said drug money fuels the criminal economy and that Australians should refuse to normalise illicit drug use.
- Two in Sydney within one week
- Mistaken murders
- Some in their early teens
- Young offenders
- Expected through parliament by October
- Policy timeline
Why it mattersThe organised crime wave is now a national security concern, affecting multiple states and community safety.
AustraliaAustralians are seeing the real-world cost of organised crime violence in major cities, and the government is responding with tougher sentencing laws.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
