Customs and Border Protection media release
Illicit drug crackdown in the lead up to Schoolies Week - 19 November 2010
Joint media release with the Australian Federeal Police
Australian law enforcement agencies have completed a strategic blitz on drug importations via the postal system prior to the holiday season, capturing more than 38kg of drugs in a national day-of-action.
The targeted operation, conducted by the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and state and territory police, involved law enforcement activity across Australia and was strategically planned to precede the holiday season and end-of-school celebrations such as Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast.
Items seized included a carton of soap concealing more than 1kg of heroin in Brisbane, while more than 3kgs of MDMA were concealed in a bicycle suspension frame captured in Perth. In Sydney, an electronic keyboard was found to conceal 8kgs of methamphetamine, while a wedding dress concealed nearly 400gs of the same drug.
Other items posted through the mail and used to conceal drugs were permanent markers, books, birthday cards, shoes, car parts, clothing, vitamin tablets and a wooden plaque.
The AFP and Customs and Border Protection staged a similar targeted operation on attempted importations via parcel post in February 2010, seizing more than 74kg of drugs in a week of action. Combined with this operation, more than 100kg of illicit drugs have been seized. AFP National Manager Crime Operations Ramzi Jabbour said the AFP, in partnership with national and international counterparts, remained vigilant to combating all facets of the illicit drug trade.
"While most attempted drug importations sent through the postal system are small, they quickly add up and pose a large cumulative threat to the Australian community," Assistant Commissioner Jabbour said. "Sent by opportunistic individuals or as part of larger organised crime activity, each consignment has the potential to exacerbate the social problems associated with drug harm."
"This operation was strategically timed to precede the holiday and end-of-school period. By preventing these drugs from hitting Australian streets, hopefully it removes some of the temptation for young Australians to experiment with drugs and also contributes to a safer environment for them to celebrate their achievements."
Customs and Border Protection Acting National Manager Air Cargo and Detained Goods John Ikin said the success of this operation highlights the skills of Customs and Border Protection officers in using a range of technologies and identifying risk factors to intercept illegal drugs.
"As Customs and Border Protection and other law enforcement agencies persist in detecting the many and varied methods of smuggling drugs, traffickers are trying new and creative concealment methods," Mr Ikin said.
"This result illustrates the efforts of Customs and Border Protection and its partners to effectively intercept and prevent illegal drugs from reaching the Australian community."
November 19 (today) also marks a day of action for Operation Unification, which brings together all Australian law enforcement agencies in a united stand against amphetamines and organised crime.
Police are urging Australians to support today’s “Say Something” phone-in day by ringing Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with information about the manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs, particularly amphetamines.
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Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6275 7100
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793