THE State Government wants to bankrupt serious drug traffickers with new laws to confiscate their assets.

Attorney-General John Rau will introduce legislation to state parliament this week to confiscate the assets of major or repeat offenders regardless of how the assets were obtained.

Mr Rau said the changes to the Criminal Assets Confiscation Act would fulfil an election promise to crack down on organised crime gangs who often built their empires on drug trafficking.

"These amendments will effectively bankrupt declared drug traffickers by the confiscation of assets, whether or not they are legitimately obtained or earned,'' Mr Rau said.

"This change will send a strong message to drug traffickers and their associates that they risk not only their freedom, but their financial security, if they continue to engage in criminal and destructive behaviour.

"They should understand clearly that the risks of their offending are enormous.

"Not only will they be jailed, there won't be a nice nest egg waiting for them when they finish their sentence.

"In fact, they will lose nearly everything.''

The new laws will apply to any person convicted of drug trafficking, or taking part in trafficking, on three or more separate occasions within a period of 10 years.

They will also hit any person convicted of trafficking, or taking part in trafficking, of a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

Under current provisions, most confiscation orders are limited to the proceeds of the offending.

"Criminal gangs typically use the proceeds of drug trafficking to create a lavish lifestyle, as well as build their criminal capabilities,'' Mr Rau said.

"These amendments will give police new tools to end this dangerous criminal cycle.''