Parcel-post operation nets 73kg of drugs and 25 arrests - 12 February 2010

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service have prevented more than 73kg of drugs from hitting the nation’s streets in a joint operation targeting drug importation via the mail system.

Having seized 145 parcels nation-wide, this week’s operation involved every Australian state and territory, included 78 search warrants and has currently resulted in 22 Australian arrests.

The AFP also joined forces with international authorities to dismantle a transnational drug syndicate, with three men arrested in South America for allegedly importing cocaine into Sydney via the mail system.

A 60-year old man was arrested in Colombia, while Peruvian authorities arrested a 55-year-old man and 25-year-old man of trafficking charges.

It will be alleged the men were part of a long-standing international syndicate that had been importing cocaine to Sydney in parcel-post consignments sent from Argentina and Peru.

The AFP intercepted three consignments of cocaine in Sydney in August, November and December 2009, each containing approximately 300g of cocaine. Peruvian authorities had also seized two consignments bound for Australia, each containing approximately 300g of cocaine.

AFP National Manager for Serious and Organised Crime, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Zuccato, said the extensive operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the AFP’s international liaison officer network and its capability of working collaboratively with both national and international law enforcement agencies.

“The AFP is committed to disrupting all levels of organised crime.” Assistant Commissioner Zuccato said.

“While some importations are opportunistic ventures by individuals, organised crime is also involved in importations via the mail system.

“The AFP remains vigilant of combating all facets of the drug trade. Operations such as this provide intelligence that helps to maintain an understanding of the current criminal environment.

“The majority of importations via the mail system are low volume, but they can pose a considerable cumulative threat. These consignments contribute towards supplying the Australian drug market and exacerbate social problems within Australia associated with drug harm.”

Other items seized during the Operation included counterfeit licences, DVDs and CDs as well as improvised weapons and drug-making equipment.

“Organised crime groups deal in many different commodities and are involved in any crime types that will make them money,” Assistant Commissioner Zuccato said.

More than 10,000 parcels have been seized through the mail system at Australia’s in the past five years, preventing almost 1600kg of drugs from hitting Australian streets.

Customs and Border Protection spokesperson, National Manager Border Targeting John Gibbon, said the agency played a vital role in preventing the illegal movement of people and goods across Australia’s border.

“We work cooperatively with other agencies to ensure that we detect, seize and prohibit the importation of prohibited goods into Australia – including through international mail.

“This successful operation, which has involved Customs and Border Protection officers in every state, demonstrates the effectiveness of our and our partners’ efforts to protect the Australian community.”



sumber : http://www.customs.gov.au/