ILLEGAL DRUGS

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (15:54): My question is to the Minister for Police. Can the minister update the house on the progress our valiant and committed police are making in seizing illegal drugs from our streets and any recent legislative changes that are assisting their work?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:54): Over the past 18 months the government has introduced a raft of improvements to strengthen our anti-drug laws, sharpening the teeth of special SAPOL operations and task forces that are achieving outstanding results. The intense 12-month covert investigation Operation Dactyl was recently brought to its conclusion, smashing a drug network by not just arresting street dealers but also following the chain all the way to the higher-ranked players. Fifty-nine people will face charges and close to 90,000 deals were stopped from reaching the streets, in a significant victory for police.

This is not a one-off success for SAPOL. The recently released Australian Crime Commission report showed SAPOL removed 152 kilograms of amphetamine-type stimulants from South Australian streets in 2008-09. The manufacture and trafficking of amphetamine-type stimulants continues to be one of the greatest challenges of law enforcement worldwide. SAPOL's increase in drug detections is a direct result of a strong and coordinated focus on drug manufacturing through operations like Dactyl and Mantle and sections such as the Crime Gangs Task Force, Organised Crime Investigation Branch and Drug Investigation Branch.

Across the board SAPOL has benefited from our continued work to strengthen drug laws. The latest addition to this list is the Hydroponics Industry Control Act. Following the end of a transitional period on 31 May it became illegal to sell prescribed equipment without a hydroponics equipment dealer's licence. On Friday 4 June police used our tough new laws to crack down on two stores illegally carrying on trade in prescribed equipment, leading to charges against the proprietors and the seizure of several thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Additionally, SAPOL was involved in this week's Drug Action Week, with events in local service areas across the state as part of a national program to raise awareness about alcohol and other drug issues, aiming to stop our children and all within the community from becoming involved with drugs in the first place. I commend the men and women of SAPOL for their continued strong work in achieving results in this crucial component of law enforcement.