Outcomes and case studies

Outcomes

The Customs Watch program, formerly known as Frontline and Hotline, has had a proven history of success since the implementation of the community participation programs in 1991. Between July 2008 and June 2011, the programs generated 4567 referrals, and resulted in 763 positive results.

Overall, the program is a valuable intelligence collection tool for Customs and Border Protection assisting to detect imports and exports of concern. Approximately 5 per cent of all detections made by the agency are attributed to positive referrals from industry and the general public.

You can help be involved in protecting Australia’s border, simply by reporting suspicious behaviour to 1800 06 1800 or via the online form.

Case studies

The following four case studies illustrate how a single piece of information can lead to the apprehension of criminals and illegal substances.

1. Goods Tampering - Sea Cargo Case Study

Customs and Border Protection received a call from a concerned industry member, who was handling cargo that had a very strong smell of coffee. The membr also reported that the goods were destined for a private address even though the quantity in question was that of a commercial consignment, there were weight inconsistencies, the goods were described as gift’ and the country of origin was Vietnam.

Outcome: The coffee had been used to conceal 250kg of Pseudoephedrine with a total street value of $46 million.

2. Suspicious vessel – Small Craft Case Study

Three foreign nationals presented at a marina in Queensland enquiring about purchasing a yacht. They completed the sale with the owner, and undertook brief sailing training with the owner. It was apparent that they did not know how to sail a yacht. On the vessel’s next arrival at the marina, it was noticed that the vessel had sustained substantial damage to its side, consistent with brushing with another vessel. Marina staff alerted Customs and Border Protection of these facts.

Outcome: The vessel was searched and found to contain 8 large bags containing narcotics. A search of a property related to the men revealed 20 bags of narcotics, with a street value of $97 million.

3. Suspicious passenger – Airport Case Study

A woman was snared at Melbourne International Airport after trying to smuggle 51 live tropical fish past Customs and Border Protection officers. She was wearing what appeared to be a custom-made apron, complete with pouches to hold the 15 bags of fish the woman was supposedly trying to sneak into the country. The woman had also been very hesitant to approach Customs and Border Protection, was walking in a physically restrained manner and unexplainable flipping and flopping noises came from the woman as she walked.

Outcome: The passenger pleaded guilty to the illegal importation of wildlife into Australia.

4. Delivery Drivers - Case Study

A delivery driver contacted Customs and Border Protection after delivering some plastic flooring on wooden pallets to a storage hire facility. The driver had become suspicious about the delivery when he found that the commercial goods where going to a storage hire facility rather than company location, the owners insisted that the goods be backed into the storage unit and not be un-packed outside, and offers of assistance were aggressively declined by the owner of the goods.

Outcome: 24.4kg of Cocaine had been concealed within the wooden pallets that had held the plastic flooring.