Drug trafficking

Report identifies China as a major source of ice ingredients

China is a major Australian source for the ingredients used to make the drug ice, a security think tank says.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a respected defence policy group, said on Tuesday that police arrests and drug seizures alone were not good indicators of progress in tackling crystal methamphetamine, known as ice. The Turnbull government would also need a diplomatic and security strategy to disrupt the supply route of the drug, working closely with Chinese authorities.

"To achieve a substantial reduction in the supply of ice and its precursors in Australia, the diversion of drugs and precursors in the Chinese chemical and pharmaceutical industry needs to be addressed," it said.