Police and law enforcement agencies across Australia have seized a combined 2.98 tonnes of illicit drugs and charged 1246 people with 2522 offences during a national week of action targeting the importation and trafficking of illicit drugs, and the organised crime groups behind them.
Operation Vitreus is a joint initiative between all Australian state and territory police, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Department of Home Affairs and New Zealand Police.
This year's operation, which ran from 1-5 September, 2025, was coordinated by the AFP and had a particular focus on 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD), also known as 'fantasy' or 'bute', a chemical solvent that converts to Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in the body when ingested, and is being increasingly linked to overdoses and sexual assaults.
Consumption of 1,4-BD depresses the central nervous system, slowing down messages between the brain and body. Those who ingest it can experience drowsiness, confusion, blackouts and memory loss, seizures, unconsciousness, or even death.
Police seized 1,959.2 litres (about twice the volume of a large refrigerator) of 1,4-BD across the week of action, including a record seizure of 1.92L of 1,4-BD derivative gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) by New Zealand Police.
While 1,4-BD was the primary focus of the national week of action, Operation Vitreus partners used the week as an opportunity to take action on other illicit drugs impacting Australia.
Nationally, police seized 569.2kgs of cocaine, 90.6kgs of methamphetamine, 58.3kgs of ketamine, 3.1kgs of MDMA, 1271 cannabis plants, and 140.4kgs of loose cannabis in addition to large quantities of other drugs and precursors.
Police also seized $1,697,258 in cash, 52 firearms, nine vehicles, and dismantled two clandestine drug labs.
Complimenting these domestic efforts, the Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police treat taking the fight against organised criminal groups offshore as a priority, working closely with international partners to seize drugs prior to their arrival into Australia.
During the week of action, 611.1kgs of drugs or pre-cursors were seized offshore, including 343.4 kgs of methamphetamine and 185.6kgs of cocaine destined for Australia.
AFP acting Superintendent Jim Rowe said the rise in the detections of 1,4-BD was of concern to law enforcement.
"Since its restricted listing as a border-controlled drug in March, 2024, 1,4-BD has become the most detected illicit drug by weight at the Australian border," a/Supt Rowe said.
"The AFP continues to be concerned with reports 1,4-BD is one of the central drivers of fatal and non-fatal GHB overdoses in Australia, and is being used to facilitate sexual assault through the spiking of food and drinks.
"This substance is highly addictive, and also highly dangerous, as are other illicit drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine."
Superintendent Rowe also highlighted the importance of multi-agency collaboration when tackling the drug trade and taking on transnational and organised crime.
"This year's ACIC National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program highlighted a sharp rise in drug use among Australians, with cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin consumption all hitting record levels," Supt Rowe said.
"This is obviously of concern to law enforcement, and highlights why combined efforts to reduce drug supply, like Operation Vitreus, are so important.
"As a result of this week of action, a large amount of intelligence was obtained and will now be used to focus our collective efforts in further dismantling organised crime groups impacting Australia.
"The AFP will continue to work with our domestic and international partners to intercept and disrupt criminals who seek to profit from this insidious illicit drug trade, which is causing misery and devastation to Australians."
