The use of illegal drugs in Queensland rose rapidly in the mid-1960s. In December, 1966, the first seizure of marijuana plants occurred in Cooktown. Shortly, the Drug Squad was formed in February, 1967. The following decade saw a marked rise of prosecutions for drug-related offences; in 1974-75 there were 1,671 drug offences reported, while in 1976-77 the number increased to 2,631.
In the 1980s new bail legislation was introduced in an attempt to curtail the high number of offenders, who were absconding and estreating their sureties enabled by huge profits from illicit drug sales. North Queensland was identified as the scene of greatest activity. In 1984-85 there were 1,206 drug offences reported in Cairns only, while a total of 1,523 was recorded for the Far Northern Region. A further 1,094 reported drug offences were recorded for the Northern Region. Nearly 15% of the state total reported offences, or 2,067 out of 14,119, were split between Cairns and Townsville (the second largest sector of reported drug related offences was Gold Coast, 13%). Accordingly, the Squad strength nearly doubled between 1974 and 1984, from 15 to 28 detectives and plain clothes officers.
The number of drug busts continued to increase throughout the decade; 100,000 plants were located in a forestry reserve outside Townsville. Simultaneously, the use of heroin increased twofold between 1982 and 1984. In consequence, in 1989, additional funds were allocated to boost the Drug Squad, expand its resources in the areas of manpower and equipment, which included covert policing, computerisation of work practices and additional motor vehicles for operational use.
In 1994, Capalaba Police stumbled across a new strand of cannabis plant in Queensland. The plant, which traces its origins to Holland, was discovered in a local residence. Due to its distinctive appearance, this strand became commonly known as ‘Skull Cap’, or the hybrid ‘Dwarf’ plant. During Operation Broken Prop II, in the Northern Region, drugs with a street value of $61 million were seized and destroyed.
Cannabis plant commonly known as ‘Skull Cap’. Image from Police Bulletin 36 (1994).
According to the National Drug Strategy, which collects and collates information on drug trends in Australia, in 1995, the percentage of the population which had used illicit drugs in the preceding 12 months was 4% for major illicit drugs, and 17% for selected socially accepted drugs. The proportion of youth (14-17 yo) use of socially accepted drugs, principally cannabis, increased to an overwhelming 32%. There were 25,011 drug offences reported in 1994-95, which translates to 77% increase over the preceding decade. During the year, the State Drug Investigation Group continued to enhance its capacity through the establishment of the Illicit Laboratory Investigation Team (ILIT). The team processes illicit laboratoried, thus enabling police officers previously utilised for this purpose to be used to enhance the State Drug Investigation Group’s proactive investigation capabilities instead.
In another decade, Queensland Police Service statistical data showed a further increase in drug offences to 48,755 (2004-2005). In 2008, in a joint operation between the State Drug Squad, Drug Operations Team (CDOT), staff from Property Crime and a number of officers from Flying Squad (specialist investigative unit) as well as Southern Region detectives approximately 15 tonnes of cannabis was seized during a raid at Inglewood. The haul of 22,000 green plants with a total market value around $500 million, took police officers three days to burn off. A middle-aged man and his son were charged with producing and possessing a dangerous drug. (Police Bulletin329)
The Drug Squad increasingly relies on the drug detection unit (DDU) of the Dog Squad, as specialist police dogs are trained to search the interior and exterior of residences, vehicles, and vessels for illicit drugs. Zac – the German Shepherd sniffer – was first recruited to assist the Squad as early as July, 1978.
Drug detection Police Dog Zac. Image from the 1978 Queensland Police Annual Report.
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This information has been provided by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available. The article was written by Museum Volunteer and Crime and Policing Historian Dr Anastasia Dukova.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
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