Authorities are picking up multiple imports of nitazenes each month, leading to warnings that other drugs could be laced with the dangerous synthetic opioids.
Described as 10 times more potent than fentanyl, nitazenes can come in multiple forms such as powders, tablets and vape liquids, and can be sold in place of other drugs like cocaine and MDMA.
Australian Border Force officials have picked up 64 imports of the killer drug between January 2023 and September 2024, largely originating from Hong Kong, the UK and Canada.
Other busts included a 4kg haul at a Melbourne house in October 2023, along with an NT man being charged with attempting to import the opioid via mail from the UK.
“Taking nitazenes is like playing Russian roulette with your life – it’s a serious gamble and even the smallest amount can lead to a fatal overdose,” Australian Federal Police Commander Paula Hudson said.
"When mixed with other illicit drugs, users have no idea what they are taking before it’s too late."
The substance can be so potent, authorities hold life-threatening concerns for frontline workers such as emergency hospital staff, Border Force officers and police forensic members who could be exposed through inhalation and handling.
Harm-reduction advocates say nitazenes have caused dozens of overdose deaths in Australia in the current year alone, prompting calls for a wider rollout of an easily administered overdose reversal medication.
Naloxone, which blocks drugs from attacking the brain's opioid receptors, is freely available at pharmacies without prescription.
Advocates have also called for NSW to follow the lead of states such as Queensland and Victoria in introducing pill-testing trials to reduce the chance of people inadvertently taking nitazenes or other potent drugs.
Pill-testing has been discussed at the state government's long-promised drug summit, which begins sessions in Sydney on Wednesday, but Premier Chris Minns has previously dismissed calls for a trial.
