Section 3 Australia’s criminal environment 15 S3 AUSTRALIA’S CRIM INAL ENVIRONM ENT Table 3.1: Key substances in the Australian illicit drug market 2022–23 Substance Market characteristics Cannabis Serious and organised crime (SOC) groups are well established in the Australian cannabis market, although they do not dominate it.

Drugs Cannabis is the most abused non - medical drug in South Australia, but there is a definite trend towards the use of hard drugs, particularly Heroin.

At least ninety specimens were proclaimed pest plants including three dodders, Cuscuta spp, Indian hemp, Cannabis sativa, and perennial ragweed, Ambresia psilostachya.

Section 3 Australia’s criminal environment 19 3 Table 5: Key substances in the Australian illicit drug market Substance Market characteristics Cannabis Serious and organised crime groups are well established in the Australian cannabis market, which is robust and profitable.

For example the arrest of two people with 36 firearms offences; a cache of illegal weapons, including firearms, South Australia Police – Annual Report 2012-2013 Page 19 silencers, ammunition and approximately 40 prohibited weapons, along with a small amount of cannabis and cash.

Of the 348 detections police action comprised of 365 arrest/reports, Drug Diversions and/or Cannabis Expiation Notices.

A further amendment was sought by the Parole Board with respect to the prescription of medicinal cannabis and other drugs of addiction via minute to the previous Minister for Correctional Services.

As at 30 June Task Force Morpheus had resulted in: � 906 people arrested on 2043 charges � 441 search warrants executed � 207 firearms and 6162 rounds of ammunition seized � 12 motor vehicles and nine Harley Davidson motor cycles seized � more than $1.35 million cash seized � seizures of 43 kilograms and three litres of methylamphetamine, 55.7 kilograms of cannabis and 586 cannabis plants, 2703 steroid pills and other quantities of unlawfully possessed substances including prescription drugs.

As consumer demand for medicinal cannabis increases, PRASA has contributed to ensuring that pharmacy premises comply with the required legislation.

Detection Statistics for CGTF commencing November 2007: o 499 arrests / reports of OMCG members o 1088 arrests/reports of associates and those linked to OMCGs o The seizure of 330 firearms o 728 premises searched of OMCG members (including clubrooms) o 871 premises searched of associates and those linked to OMCGs o Seizure of $2.33 million in cash o Seizure of 1280 cannabis plants o Seizure of 61,000 street deals of loose cannabis o Seizure of 72,000 street deals of methamphetamine o Seizure of 34,500 street deals of ecstasy o Seizure of 10,980 street deals of other drugs o 394 barring orders issued o 39 current OMCG have current firearm prohibition orders.