Sydney Man Arrested for Selling "Supercharged" Vapes Laced with Deadly Opioid

On August 4th, 2025, police in Sydney, Australia announced the arrest of a 20-year-old man named Sam Al Roubaye for allegedly running a sophisticated distribution operation of a dangerous synthetic opioid called nitazene. This marks the first such arrest in the country.

According to authorities, Al Roubaye had been selling vapes "supercharged" with nitazene since March 2025. During a raid on his home on August 2nd, police seized 2.1kg of the highly addictive and lethal substance, as well as $7,180 in cash, vape hardware, and other illicit items.

"Nitazenes are highly addictive, incredibly potent and can be lethal," warned NSW Police drug squad Commander John Watson. The arrest demonstrates a "disturbing evolution" in the illicit drug trade, he added, but police are adapting to meet these emerging threats.

The nitazene bust comes as the NSW government prepares to introduce tough new penalties for the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes. Health experts have urged users of recreational drugs to carry naloxone, a life-saving medicine that can reverse opioid overdoses, as the use of synthetic opioids like nitazene continues to grow as a concerning public health issue.