MORE than 100kg in illicit drugs - mostly ice - were seized at WA's borders last -financial year, a 70 per cent -increase on the previous year.
It comes as the nation's -insatiable appetite for drugs and willingness to pay top dollar is encouraging Mexican drug lords to build empires in Australia.
Of the 107kg in drugs found at WA's airports, ports and mail centres, amphetamine-type stimulants accounted for 85kg, followed by cocaine (7kg), ecstasy (3.2kg) and heroin (2.9kg).
More than 1200 individual drug detections were made compared with 816 the previous year. Commonwealth law enforcement agencies are regularly meeting and sharing intelligence with Mexican officials about how to stem the flow of drugs.
"Australia has become a target for organised criminals from all around the world because Australians are paying top dollar for illicit substances," Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said.It's understood federal police have a strong relationship with Mexico's intelligence agency. Agencies believe the growing amount of crystal methamphetamine seized suggested a growing presence of Mexican crime groups here.