Drug dealing and manufacturing charges increase in Canberra as police target 'high-end' dealers

The targeting of "high-end" drug dealers in Canberra has led to a jump in the number of dealing, manufacturing and trafficking charges, police say.

There has been a 52 per cent increase in the number of drug dealing and trafficking charges in the ACT.

Last financial year 102 drug dealing and trafficking charges were laid, compared to 67 in the previous 12 months.

There has also been a 33 per cent jump in drug manufacturing and growing charges in the ACT with 32 charges laid in 2013/14, compared to 24 in the previous year.

Detective Sergeant Shane Scott said the charges reflected a change in police priorities.

"We are focusing on that high-end, mid to high-level drug deals, people who are making the profits out of drugs," he said.

"As opposed to the lower-end users, who are unfortunately the people at the coal face, but are being exploited by these people."

'They're the ones facing the risks'

While drug dealing and trafficking charges have increased, drug possession charges have remained steady.

Detective Sergeant Scott said drug users are often more vulnerable to criminal charges and health issues, rather than those whom supply the drugs.

"They're the ones facing the risks ... whereas these other people are the ones making the profits," he said.

Detective Sergeant Scott said significant drug seizures in the past 12 months have reduced the amount of drugs in circulation.

"We're getting those people peddling this misery off the streets," he said.

Matthew Willis from the Australian Institute of Criminology said the increase in criminal activity has been reflected across Australia.

"What we have seen in recent times is an increase in methamphetamine use in particular, along with relatively high levels of cannabis use," he said.

"It may be a matter of more people manufacturing, more people dealing and using, and there are certainly indications nationally that is the case.

"You're often also seeing an increase in police activity, or a targeting in police activity."