882 kg of ketamine seized at Australian borders in 2023, doubling previous year's amount; TSOC syndicates employing advanced concealment methods.

Australian authorities reported a surge in the seizure of ketamine, a dangerous sedative, at the country's borders, raising concerns about an increase in criminal efforts to import the prohibited substance. In 2023, a record-breaking 882 kilograms of ketamine were confiscated, more than double the amount seized in the previous year. Transnational serious organized crime (TSOC) syndicates are using sophisticated methods to conceal the illicit substance, making it more challenging for law enforcement to intercept.