The AFP is concerned over a continued rise in counterfeit pharmaceuticals found to contain nitazenes. Photo: AFP.
Canberrans have been urged not to buy counterfeit pain medications as authorities detect a “worrying” trend where they’re being used to illegally smuggle nitazenes into the country.
Nitazenes are an illicit and dangerous synthetic opioid which can cause serious and unpredictable health effects, including overdose, which may present as loss of consciousness, shallow or stopped breathing, bluish-purple skin and slow or erratic pulse.
They are considered 10 times more potent than fentanyl and can be distributed as powders, tablets, nasal sprays, and vape liquids.
The AFP has detected nitazenes in counterfeit pain relief medication in the ACT, NSW, Queensland and Victoria in recent months, leading to a renewed warning of the dangers of illicit drug use, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
Detection incidents include the seizure of counterfeit pharmaceuticals by state and territory police between April 2024 and February 2025. The seized pills were almost identical in appearance to oxycodone (a pain relief medication available via prescription from a medical professional), but forensic analysis showed they contained nitazenes.
Between January 2024 and March 2025, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers detected eight nitazene imports at the Australian border. The imports originated from countries including Canada, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong and were largely imported via international mail.
There is no evidence to indicate nitazenes are being manufactured in Australia.
Nitazenes are significantly stronger than fentanyl and can lead to fatal overdose. Photo: AFP.
A similar warning has previously been issued over nitazenes.
Pill testing centre in Canberra, CanTEST, first detected nitazene in the Territory in December 2022.
Five incidences of the drug have since been detected in the Territory.
A community notice from 18 April warned a blue pill was expected to be oxycodone but instead contained protonitazene.
No oxycodone was detected in the pill.
CanTEST issued this community warning after the Territory’s fifth nitazene detection since 2022. Photo: CanTEST.
The centre issued another warning at the end of April that nitazenes were still of concern.
“Alerts have been issued in multiple states this month due to the detection of nitazenes, which are significantly stronger than fentanyl,” a statement read.
“Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that carry a risk of fatal overdose – always assume that your drugs may not be what you expect.
“Test it before you take it, and always carry naloxone.”
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Paula Hudson said there was no safe dosage when it came to nitazenes, and reminded people to only take pharmaceuticals that have been prescribed and dispensed by registered health practitioners and pharmacists.
“We cannot understate the dangers which surround any use of this illicit and highly potent drug. If you choose to take it, you are gambling with your life,” she said.
“Those who consume counterfeit pharmaceuticals have no idea what they are putting in their body and the potential health impacts they could face.
“Synthetic opioids are considered so potent that there are also concerns for the safety and welfare of frontline workers, such as nurses, doctors, and law enforcement officers, who could be exposed to the dangerous health impacts when handling these substances or treating people who consume them.”
Acting Asst Comm Hudson also had this warning to criminal syndicates looking to profit from the importation of nitazenes.
” The AFP is committed to protecting the community and will identify and prosecute you to the full extent of the law,” she said.
“The AFP will continue to work alongside our partners at the ABF, as well as our international law enforcement partners, to combat nitazenes in Australia.”
Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on Region Canberra.
