The number drug offences increased in Greater Shepparton during 2022 but is something that police say residents should not be worried about.
The latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency showed there were a total of 292 drug offences recorded in Shepparton in 2022.
This is up from 189 the previous year and is the highest number since 2013.
The number of drug trafficking offences almost doubled – up to 68 in 2022, compared to 36 the previous year.
Shepparton police Acting Inspector Damian Keegan said these were not figures to be alarmed about and the increased numbers came from more of a focus by police on targeting drug traffickers, including a number of police operations last year.
“It’s not reflective in saying we have an increased drug problem in the Greater Shepparton area. It is showing that enforcement is greater,” he said.
“As we move past COVID (times) we are putting resources into investigating complaints of trafficking and possession.”
Last year there were a number of police operations by Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit into drug traffickers.
The ‘Dob in a dealer’ campaign from Crime Stoppers also made the community feel more comfortable in telling police about drug operations, Insp Keegan said.
The number of drug cultivation or manufacturing incidents also increased slightly in Greater Shepparton, up from 17 in 2021 to 24 last year.
Drug use of possession charges were also at their highest since 2019, with 200 incidents recorded, compared with 136 the previous year.