Trafficking in dangerous drugs

Looking at sentencing outcomes between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2016 for trafficking in a dangerous drug, our research found:

a total of 2596 offenders were sentenced
of these, 2498 offenders had trafficking in dangerous drugs as their most serious offence (MSO)
the number of offenders sentenced for trafficking in dangerous drugs as their MSO increased each year from 2009–10
the average age of offenders sentenced for drug trafficking was 34 years
the majority of offenders sentenced for drug trafficking were male (83.7%)
the majority of offenders sentenced for drug trafficking pleaded guilty (97.8%)
the majority of adult offenders sentenced for drug trafficking received a custodial penalty (99.1%)
The average prison sentence was 4.6 years
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders made up 5% of all sentenced offenders.