Is your neighbour a drug dealer? Crime Stoppers says these are the signs to look for
The warning comes as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking highlights the growing threat of illicit drugs in Australian communities.
CRIME Stoppers has urged Australians to look out for tell-tale signs of drug manufacturing and dealing in their neighbourhoods as part of a renewed push to disrupt the illicit drug trade.
The call came as the world marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, a United Nations observance held every year on June 26 to raise awareness of the harm caused by illegal drugs.
Crime Stoppers NSW marked the occasion with a tongue-in-cheek social media post featuring a yellow Lamborghini parked under a carport at a modest suburban home with the caption "He's in imports ... that clears everything up."
The post urged people to learn how to spot the signs of a clandestine drug laboratory, including strong chemical smells, curtains that are always drawn, unusual rubbish or containers, activity at odd hours and an expensive lifestyle that does not match the property.
Crime Stoppers Victoria runs a similar "Dob in a Dealer" campaign and has published guides on how to identify both clandestine drug labs and cannabis crop houses.
Clandestine drug laboratories have been found hidden in homes, sheds and even shipping containers across Australia and are used to manufacture illicit drugs like methamphetamine.
The labs use toxic chemicals that can be modified to make explosives, making them extremely dangerous and at risk of causing fires or explosions.
Other signs to watch for include unusual ventilation such as fans or blowers running at odd times, chemical staining or dead patches of grass in yards, excessive amounts of hardware store items like hoses, pipes and containers, and frequent visitors at unusual hours.
The warning comes at a time when Australia's illicit drug market continues to grow despite significant enforcement efforts.
The Australian Border Force has seized more than 19 million vapes, pods and related items worth more than $1 billion since importation laws were overhauled in January 2024.
Victorian health authorities also issued an urgent warning this month after a powerful anaesthetic called etomidate was found in illegal vapes sold in Melbourne, highlighting the evolving and increasingly dangerous nature of the illicit drug trade.
Anyone with information about drug activity can contact Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.