23 tonnes of drugs worth $5 billion seized across Australia in 2011-12

The Australian Crime Commission's (ACC) annual illicit drug data report shows drug purity is on the rise and Australia is a target.

The ACC handed down its 2011-12 report at Sydney's international mail centre this morning, as the report shows parcel post accounts for thelargest number of illicit drugborder detections.

Australian Federal PoliceCommissioner Tony Negus says more than 23 tonnes of drugs worth over $5 billion were seized nationally in 2011-12.

That is a 154 per cent increasefrom the 9.3 tonnes seized in2010-11.

There were also 93,000 drug-related arrests and a record 809 hidden drug laboratories discovered.

Police found the smugglers' methods included concealing drugs in kettles, curry paste jars, safe boxes, batteries and whiteboard markers.

Mr Negus says Australia is a target.

"We haveintelligence and we are beingtargeted in this country," he said.

"Therelative height of theAustralian dollar, the relativewealth of this country comparedto others at the moment meanswe are a target.

"But I thinkthe higher rate of seizures we have actually made over the last 12 months showsenforcement is meeting thatchallenge head on."

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23 tonnes of drugs worth $5 billion seized across Australia in 2011-12