SYDNEY, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Victorian Government has announced an Australian-first major crackdown on synthetic drugs.
The new laws, introduced into Victorian parliament by the government on Wednesday, would see shops and drug dealers selling the substances face jail sentences and large fines.
Synthetic drugs are substances created with man-made chemicals rather than natural ingredients that mimic the effects of illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.
Lisa Neville, Victoria's Police Minister, said the laws would close loopholes in 2013 legislation that allowed manufacturers to escape serious trouble for synthetic substances.
"These drugs have just caused such harm," Neville told News Limited on Wednesday.
"We are outlawing all synthetic drugs to protect our communities."
Under the current law compounds need to be outlawed individually but the changes will apply to all compounds going forward.
110 people have been charged in Victoria for synthetic drug-related crimes since 2013.
The amount of methamphetamines considered to be large trafficable quantities will also be reduced from 750 grams to 500 grams while commercial quantities will be cut in half from 100 grams to 50.
Shane Patton, Victoria Police's Deputy Commissioner, praised the new laws as a "game changer."
People found guilty of dealing synthetic drugs will face up to two years in prison and fines of up to 28,000 US dollars.
