Dangerous new drug dimethylpentylone hits the streets in Australia

A dangerous new party drug that’s ‘similar to MDMA’ is hitting the streets of Australia, Australia Federal Police have warned.

The synthetic stimulant called dimethylpentylone can cause a psychoactive effect similar to amphetamines, and was first discovered in Australia in October 2021.

In the 16 months since, border force officers have detected more than 50 attempted imports into Australia.

Officers have seized varying amounts of the drug, sent via parcel post and air cargo, with consignments ranging from around almost 100 grams up to ten kilograms.

The drug, which goes by the street names ‘crystal’ and ‘Molly’, has been seized in crystal and powder form and has a chemical structure similar to Methylone.

AFP Commander Kate Ferry said the new illicit synthetic stimulant could pose a significant risk to the Australian community.

‘We have absolutely seen an increase in the attempted import of this drug, especially throughout 2022,’ she said.

‘The risk of serious harm or overdose with Dimethylpentylone is very real. We are warning the community that there is no such thing as a safe dosage when it comes to this drug.’

‘The side-effects and any subsequent short-term and long-term dangers are all yet to be discovered because this is a relatively new synthetic drug. It remains largely unknown and untested – it is all unchartered territory.’

The synthetic stimulant called dimethylpentylone can cause a psychoactive effect similar to amphetamines, and was first discovered in Australia in October 2021

Commander Ferry said criminal syndicates attempting to import Dimethylpentylone would face the same significant penalties as any other illicit substance.

‘The AFP will prosecute criminals and the syndicates selling analogues of illicit drugs, such as dimethylpentylone, with penalties matching the real illicit drugs themselves as outlined under Commonwealth law.’

‘The AFP is working with its state and Commonwealth law enforcement partners to slam the brakes on these criminal syndicates attempting to expose Australians to this potentially dangerous and untested drug.’

ABF Commander Susan Drennan said ABF officers were aware of attempts by criminals to smuggle synthetic illicit drugs into Australia.

Officers have seized varying amounts of the drug, sent via parcel post and air cargo, with consignments ranging from around almost 100 grams up to ten kilograms

‘It doesn’t matter if it is well known illegal drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine, or new synthetic stimulants such as Dimethylpentylone, ABF officers use sophisticated methods to detect these illicit substances at the border,’ Commander Drennan said.

‘Criminals might think they can get lesser known synthetic drugs past our border controls, but they are sorely mistaken.

‘The ABF is always on the lookout for prohibited items being smuggled into the country and is committed to protecting Australians from harmful drugs.

‘We work closely with our law enforcement partners every day to stop these illicit substances getting into the community.’    

The drug is considered an analogue of Methylone, Pentylone and Butylone and has been sold to users as MDMA.

Investigations into the international origins and the criminal syndicates behind these attempted imports remain ongoing.