A NSW man is expected to face Nowra Local Court today (27 January, 2026) accused of attempting to import a marketable quantity of nitazenes into Australia.
The investigation began in November, 2025, when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers located three grams of nitazenes, a dangerous synthetic opioid, in a consignment sent from the United Kingdom to an address on the NSW South Coast. ABF notified the AFP.
The consignment allegedly contained a number of small round blue pills marked with letters and numbers on each side.
AFP inquiries identified a South Coast man, 26, as the alleged intended recipient of the illicit drugs.
Investigators located the man at a South Nowra workplace on 10 December, 2025, where they executed a person search warrant. During the search warrant a mobile phone was seized, which allegedly contained screenshots of tracking numbers and messages on encrypted applications.
Search warrants were also conducted on the man's vehicle and at a residential address in Nowra, with investigators seizing a yellow tablet, postal packaging, heat seal packaging with powder residue, small clip seal bags, a clip seal bag containing a white crystalline substance, and a laptop.
The AFP charged the man with one count of import marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely nitazenes, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said law enforcement was prepared to thwart any attempts by organised criminals to bring nitazenes into Australia, and alleged offenders would be met with swift and decisive action.
"Nitazenes are exceptionally potent synthetic opioids and can cause fatal overdoses - even in small quantities. Their presence in the community poses a serious risk to life and that's why we will not tolerate any attempts to import them," Det Supt Blunden said.
"The AFP has zero tolerance for anyone seeking to profit from harmful, illicit substances. Our priority is always the safety of the public, and we will continue to disrupt any attempt to introduce these deadly drugs into the country.
"This operation highlights the strength of our partnerships both at the borders and internationally. The AFP works hand-in-hand with the ABF and our state and international law enforcement partners to identify threats early, track illicit supply chains and intervene before harmful substances reach Australian streets."
ABF Acting Superintendent Naryl Brown said while quantities in mail importations might seem relatively small, these dangerous substances could have devastating impacts.
"Nitazenes are highly potent substances, and even a small amount poses a serious risk to life. This detection demonstrates the critical role ABF plays at the border in identifying suspicious consignments and stopping these drugs at the earliest possible point," a/Supt Brown said.
