media release

Successful year for Customs Watch - 6 December 2012

Customs and Border Protection has celebrated the first anniversary of its rebranded Customs Watch program.

National Director Intelligence and Targeting, Jan Dorrington, thanked industry and community members for helping Customs and Border Protection to protect Australia’s borders.

“Customs Watch encourages industry and the community to work with Customs and Border Protection by reporting suspicious activities related to the movement of people and goods across Australian borders,” Ms Dorrington said.

“About five per cent of all detections made by Customs and Border Protection can be attributed to positive referrals to Customs Watch by industry and the community.

“Referrals to Customs Watch mean fewer criminals, weapons and drugs on our streets.”

Since the relaunch of Customs Watch in November 2011, the program has received more than 2500 calls and web-based information referrals, which have led to the detection of more than:

• 191 prohibited weapons including illegal knives, ammunitions, firearms magazines, laser pointers, daggers, firearms silencers and air pistols;
• 120 kilograms of illicit drugs and precursors including amphetamines, cannabis, ecstasy, pseudoephedrine, and 10,000 litres of hypophosphorous acid;
• 14,500 tablets of performance and image enhancing drugs, and;
• 130 million cigarettes and 22,000 kilos of tobacco, which equates to more than $54 million of duty evaded.

Information provided to Customs Watch has led to successful prosecutions and a number of investigations are ongoing.

By building strong partnerships with industry and the community, Customs and Border Protection is better equipped to deter criminal behaviour, identify vulnerabilities at the border and mitigate threats to Australia’s national interests.

“I encourage everyone to report suspicious behaviour to Customs Watch toll-free on 1800 06 1800 or by using the online form available at the Customs and Border Protection website. You can remain anonymous,” Ms Dorrington said.

Information supplied to Customs Watch could be the key piece of the puzzle that leads to the seizure of narcotics or other prohibited imports.

Media enquiries:

Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793