Criminal syndicates dismantled after Cocaine seized from commercial vessel
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Criminal syndicates dismantled after Cocaine seized from commercial vessel

In a major multi-agency operation, six men were arrested in Melbourne and Queensland. This has resulted in exposing two criminal syndicates working together to import and distribute cocaine in Australia.

Australian Border Force’s (ABF) Maritime Border Command intercepted and boarded a 50-meter commercial vessel after its suspicious movements were spotted during a routine aerial patrol. Maritime Border Command, a multi-agency Taskforce within the ABF has been monitoring the vessel for quiet some time.

On examination by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), ABF and Tasmania Police at the Port of Hobart, approximately 186 kilograms of cocaine was seized. Estimated street value of the cocaine seized is $60.45 million. In this connection, ten foreign nationals were charged with attempting to import  commercial quantity of a border controlled drug. Since this is a smuggling operation using marine vessels there is very little chance of involvement of any Sydney based customs broker.

Fifteen search warrants across Melbourne and Queensland were executed by Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF) comprised of AFP, Victoria Police, ABF and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). They were assisted by Queensland JOCTF, comprised of the AFP, the Queensland Police Service, ABF and ACIC.

Following this six Australian nationals were charged for their role in this attempted importation. The task force also seized drug manufacturing equipment $93,000 in cash. The investigation team allege that the men arrested were planning to transport cocaine to Australia for distribution to multiple drug trafficking syndicates across Australia.

Task force on crime will continue with investigations on these drug syndicates. This is done with the active cooperation and support of international law enforcement partners. Success rate of these operations is an example of dedication of officers involved effective cooperation between Australia’s law enforcement agencies at both a state and Commonwealth level.

Those arrested are charged with attempting to import a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). These charges can attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Three Canadians with 95kg cocaine arrested from Cruise ship in Sydney
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Three Canadians with 95kg cocaine arrested from Cruise ship in Sydney

 

Three Canadian nationals were arrested for drug importation charges from a Cruise Ship in Sydney. Approximately 95 kilograms of cocaine was seized from them.

The seizure and arrest  was the result of a A joint operation between the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), in cooperation with the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

On the vessel berthed in Sydney Harbour, ABF officers used detector dogs to search a number of passenger cabins on the ship. This resulted in the recovery of approximately 95 kilograms of cocaine. Cocaine was located concealed in suitcases.

On the basis of this seizure, AFP officers arrested three Canadian nationals, a 63-year-old man, a 28-year-old woman and a 23-year old woman. The three arrested were charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine. The offence can attract maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Involvement any Sydney based customs broker is not known.

Commenting on the success of this mission ABF Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Border Command, Clive Murray said that this was a good example of international cooperation leading to significant results in the fight against international drug syndicates.

The present successful operation has resulted in three arrests. ABF is committed to continue with investigations and working with partner agencies to protect the community. This will stop dangerous drugs making their way to Australian communities. This will also pave the way for bringing those responsible to justice.

There is growing concern on the role of international drug syndicates bringing in drugs to Australia. International drug syndicates use advanced techniques to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies. They also have infrastructure and manpower located in different parts of the world.

To counter this different law enforcement agencies in the country has to work together. Agencies based in different countries also need to cooperate and work together to make the fight against international drug syndicates successful.

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210 kg methamphetamine concealed in jeans seized

Following a two-month investigation, the AFP arrested a 29-year-old Bexley North man allegedly importing 210 kg of methamphetamine. The material seized is estimated to have a street value of $210 million. AFP officers started investigations after an air freight consignment of 15 boxes arrived in Sydney from Taiwan, labelled as ‘women’s jeans’. Official agencies have not confirmed involvement of any Sydney customs broker in the documentation and processing of this consignment.

After noticing anomalies within 12 of the boxes Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted an examination of the consignment labelled as jeans. They found that there were plastic bags in the boxes containing a crystalline substance. On conducting mandatory testing, the crystalline substance tested positive to the presence of methamphetamine.

On the basis of these findings, the matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for further investigation and necessary action. Following this, required forensic examination as required by the law was conducted by AFP officers. Chemical analysis that followed confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine with an approximate weight of 210 kilograms.

The 29-year-old Bexley North man arrested was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 301.1(1) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug usually used as a white, bitter-tasting powder or a pill. Crystal methamphetamine is a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. It is chemically similar to amphetamine. AFP also arrested a 24-year-old Blacktown man in connection to this investigation. Once convicted, the accused can get maximum penalty up to life imprisonment for this offence.

Roger Brown, AFP Manager Crime Operations said this investigation and subsequent action kept the drug from reaching the streets. The seized material could be converted to more than 2.1 million ‘hits’ of methamphetamine from reaching the community. This well planned investigation is an example of the commitment of law enforcement agencies to stop these drugs from ending up in Australia.

154 kg of meth concealed in timber logs seized, two people charged
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154 kg of meth concealed in timber logs seized, two people charged

 

A joint investigation by Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) officers resulted in two people getting arrested in Sydney and Melbourne. They were booked for their alleged role in the importation of approximately 154 kilograms of methamphetamine.

After detecting anomalies in 14 of the 121 timber logs arrived in Sydney from Africa, a joint investigation led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) commenced investigations. Forensic examination by AFP officers that followed revealed approximately 154kgs of methamphetamine in total. AFP has not identified association any customs broker in this case.

According to national Institute on Drug Abuse, Methamphetamine – meth for short – is a very addictive stimulant drug. It is a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock (called a crystal). The powder can be eaten or snorted up the nose. It can also be mixed with liquid and injected into your body with a needle. Crystal meth is smoked in a small glass pipe.

Meth at first causes a rush of good feelings, but then users feel edgy, overly excited, angry, or afraid. Meth use can quickly lead to addiction. It causes medical problems including making your body temperature so high that you pass out, Severe itching, “Meth mouth” – broken teeth and dry mouth and thinking and emotional problems.

According to Australian Federal Police, the 154 kilo of methamphetamine seized has an approximate street value of $115 million. Street value is calculated according to the Victorian median drug price for the specific drug as listed in the latest Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Illicit Drug Data Report. Final figure is arrived at by calculating the street value of the individual street dosage unit, purity and quantity of the seized drug.

On the basis of the findings of the investigation, the AFP conducted search warrants in Sydney and Melbourne. They arrested a 64-year-old Werrington man in Sydney and a 20-year-old Moonee Ponds man was arrested in Melbourne.

Crystal Meth worth $275 million seized, eight people arrested
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Crystal Meth worth $275 million seized, eight people arrested

Victoria Joint Organised Crime Task Force (JOCTF) seized 275 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with a street value of around $275 million and charged eight men responsible for the importation of the illicit drugs into Australia. The accused include one Malaysian and seven Australian citizens.

The Victoria JOCTF consists of trained specialist from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police (VicPOL), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Australian Border Force (ABF).

Investigations started following intelligence inputs on a syndicate bringing in drugs concealed in marine containers. JOCTF intercepted and searched three marine containers. They found approximately 275kg of crystal methamphetamine concealed under the floorboards of these three shipping containers

In a controlled operation, the containers were delivered to an industrial estate in Bayswater. Following this a number of people accessed the containers. JOCTF executed search warrants in the Melbourne suburbs of South Yarra, Braybrook, Bayswater, Brunswick, Box Hill and Glen Waverley.

Following this seizure, eight men aged between 24 and 34 were charged. Out of this, three were charged with commercial drug importation offences and five for attempting to possess and trafficking of methamphetamine. The offence can attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. It is not known if the drug cartel used the services of a Sydney customs broker to clear the containers.

According to Ian McCartney Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner and  National Manager Organised Crime and Cyber, the persistence and dedication of police and partner agencies resulted in this successful operation. Because of this  two and a half million hits of this insidious drug did not reach the streets. AFP was supported by Chinese authorities on Taskforce Blaze. This in particular investigates criminal syndicates trafficking ice to Australia and internationally.

Cooperation between various agencies at the national and international level is required to book drug syndicates. At the same holistic approach is required to reduce consumption of drugs and bring down demand.

JOCTF in action mode drugs worth $200 million seized
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JOCTF in action mode drugs worth $200 million seized

In a well planned and executed operation the Western Australia Joint Organised Crime Task Force seized approximately 200 kilograms of methamphetamine worth approximately $200 million. In this connection 14 people were charged with drug importation offences.  The entire operation was initiated following information from Australian Border Force on a commercial fishing boat off the Western Australia coast near Geraldton.

This was followed by search warrants executed at an address in East Cannington where approximately 150 kilograms of methylamphetamine was seized. Additional warrant activity at an Embleton house resulted in the recovery of approximately 50 kilograms of methylamphetamine. This quantity of methylamphetamine could cause immense harm in Western Australia as it equated to more than two million individual hits. Role of any Sydney customs broker in this importation is not clear.

Western Australia Joint Organised Crime Task Force (WA JOCTF)  is a group of well trained professionals from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Western Australia Police (WAPOL), Australian Crime Commission (ACC), Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).

Task force allege that the people charged were part of an organized criminal syndicate who transport of the drugs from the fishing boat to Western Australia using small watercraft. All were charged with commercial drug importation offences. The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.

Those charged include six Malaysian nationals aged between 24 and 54-years-old and eight Chinese nationals aged between 37 and 56-years-old have been. All Chinese nationals were the crew of commercial fishing boat.

According to David Stewart Australian Federal Police acting Assistant Commissioner globalisation of crime has become very complex and sophisticated. Law enforcement agencies need to use highly trained manpower and technology to  face these challenges. To control transnational crime networks agencies need to leveraging and pool men and resources of each agency. Only then agencies can impact on criminal enterprises and protects Australians from harm.

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Liquid methamphetamine imported in food tins seized

 

In a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF), three litres of liquid methamphetamine was seized. The importation to Australia was done via international mail. A Hong Kong national and a Malaysian national have been charged for their involvement in allegedly importing liquid methamphetamine.

Investigation in this case started when ABF officers examined an air cargo consignment from Hong Kong labelled food items. This was done on the basis information received from reliable sources. The Australian Border Force inspected the packets labelled as food containing peach tins.

The tins on examination showed sign of tampering. Liquid contents in the tin were send for further chemical analysis. Analysis results indicated a positive result for methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine according to national Institute on Drug Abuse, – is a very addictive stimulant drug. It is a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock (called a crystal). The powder can be eaten or snorted up the nose. It can also be mixed with liquid and injected into your body with a needle. Crystal meth is smoked in a small glass pipe.

Effect of this drug vary,  first causes a rush of good feelings, but then users feel edgy, overly excited, angry, or afraid. Meth use can quickly lead to addiction. Negative effects of the drug include medical problems including making your body temperature so high that you pass out, Severe itching, “Meth mouth” – broken teeth and dry mouth and thinking and emotional problems.

On the basis of the test results, the matter was then referred to the Australian Federal Police. Following this Australian Federal Police found out that 21-year-old female Hong Kong national attempted to take possession of the consignment at a residence in Granville, NSW.

On the basis of the proof gathered, she was subsequently arrested. She was then charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).

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ABF size Methamphetamine concealed in ceramic horse statue

At the end of a three month operation, Australian Border Force officers arrested four men. They also recovered 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. This has ultimately caused serious damage to drug syndicate operating in Melbourne.

Investigation code named Operation Conure began when Australian Border Force officers intercepted a consignment destined for Broadmeadows, Victoria. It was found that the shipment contained ceramic horse statues. Concealed in these statues were 10.9 kilograms of methamphetamine. Information of any Sydney customs broker in this case is not known.

Australian Border Force referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to follow up and take required action. As a follow up, controlled delivery of the consignment was conducted and three persons of interest were identified by the police.

On a detailed investigation, Australian Federal Police traced out a fourth person of interest. This was a 30-year-old Sierra Leone man. This man is alleged to be the organiser of the importation of horse statues. Police also found links between this person and a 2.4 kilogram methamphetamine importation in the previous year.

The police allege that these four men were operating a drug syndicate. They were also linked to another methamphetamine seizures in the Melbourne area. In this case the involvement was of 1.5 kilogram methamphetamine.

On the basis of the information and evidence gathered, Australian Federal Police conducted four search warrants across Melbourne. Following this a 30-year-old Sierra Leone man was arrested in Truganina. From Wyndham North the police arrested a 28-year-old Liberian man. This was followed by the arrest of a  26-year-old Liberian man in St Albans and a 21-year-old Australian national in Sunshine.

Those arrested have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). They were also charged for attempting to possess an unlawfully imported substance contrary to subsection 11.1(1) of the Criminal Code(Cth). For the offences charged the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

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Joint Organised Crime Group size 720 liter Methylamphetamine

Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG) charged four people for their alleged involvement in the importation and manufacture of 720 liter methylamphetamine. The drugs seized has an estimated street value of billion dollars.

On realising major supply of drugs from Asia to Australia, JOCG initiated Operation OVCHARKA.  This was to find out channels and people involved in the drug trade between Asia and Australia.

As a follow up in December 2015 the JOCG executed four search warrants at storage facilities in Hurstville, Rockdale, Miranda and Padstow. This resulted in the seizure of 530 litres of liquid methylamphetamine concealed in art supplies and 2kg crystallised methylamphetamine. Though importers may have used services of Sydney customs broker, details are not known.

A consignment from Hong Kong at the NSW Container Examination Facility was examined by Australian Border Force (ABF) in December 2015. ABF recovered 190 liters of liquid methylamphetamine concealed inside thousands of silicon bra inserts in 86 boxes.

A controlled delivery of the consignment in January 2016 to a storage facility in Burwood resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old from Hong Kong. He was charged with importing a border controlled drug, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995.

Following this the JOCG also found out evidence of drug manufacturing at two Sydney residences in Hurstville and Campsie. These places are alleged to be linked to the liquid methylamphetamine seized in art supplies.

In this connection a  59-year-old male Chinese national was arrested at Hurstville and a 37-year-old male and a 52-year-old female Hong Kong nationals were arrested at Campsie. The arrested three were charged with knowingly taking part in the manufacture of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, contrary to section 24 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW).

Commander Chris Sheehan, AFP State Manager NSW said that Operation Ovcharka has stopped a billion dollars-worth of ice from reaching Australian streets. The charges leveled against the accused can attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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4.7 kilograms of cocaine concealed in boxes of chocolate seized 26-01-2016 – Page 32

On advice of Australian Border Force (ABF) officers of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested a 27-year-old Malaysian man at Sydney International Airport. He was charged with importing approximately 4.7 kilograms of cocaine in boxes of chocolate.

The accused arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from the United Arab Emirates yesterday. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers identified the man as a carrier and followed up. Some importers use services of custom brokers even in the case of banned and illegal items. This is to avoid detection of authorities. In the present case it is not sure if the accused used the services of any Sydney customs broker.

On examining his baggage the officers found four boxes of chocolates and a container of alcohol. The boxes were examined in detail and found pellets inside the boxes which were labelled as chocolates. Chemical analysis and testing confirmed the pellets were positive for cocaine. The material was subsequently send for further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of cocaine.

The man was placed under arrest and was charged with Importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, namely cocaine, contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act (Cth) 1995.

Tim Fitzgerald ABF Regional Commander NSW said ABF have trained manpower, technology and equipment to counter novel methods used by traffickers. Drug cartels are using interesting ways to concealing drugs. They use food packets, toys, books and tools. However Australian law enforcement are all out to stop all drug importation, regardless of how big or small, to prevent these dangerous drugs from reaching Australian community.
Sharon Cowden AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander assured that community safety will be AFP’s top most priority. The force will join hands with partner agencies to target those looking to profit from illicit drugs and organised crime.