skip to content | skip to navigation

Output 1 - Facilitation of the legitimate movement of goods across the border, while intercepting prohibited and restricted imports and exports

Detection and investigation

Illicit drugs and precursor chemicals

Customs continued to develop drug policy, contribute to projects and provide input into external drug-related research to support operational functions for the detection of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals. Customs contributed to the objectives of the National Drug Strategy: Australia’s Integrated Framework 2004–2009 by reducing the supply and use of illicit drugs in the community through its detections of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals at the border.

In 2004–05, Customs detected a greater quantity (weight) of cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy) consignments at the border than in the previous year, with a decrease in the number of detections. Customs detected a higher quantity and greater number of heroin and amphetamine-type stimulants at the border.

Figure 11: Drug detections* by mode of importation

		Detections			Weight (kg)^
		2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05
Air passengers and crew
	Cannabis	149	79	35	1.71	4.34	0.40
	Cocaine	14	63	26	17.00	77.51	40.94
	Heroin	47	26	27	46.65	19.81	27.05
	MDMA (Ecstasy)	20	29	15	10.30	37.89	42.59
	ATS~	13	15	7	1.06	2.40	8.06
	Precursors##	66	56	23	..	..	..
	PIEDs@	97	99	70	..	..	..
	Other**	77	56	46	..	..	..
Cargo and postal#
	Cannabis	545	574	433	16.39	704.36	4.53
	Cocaine	403	590	415	43.70	53.02	52.17
	Heroin	57	37	166	147.28	41.36	149.85
	MDMA (Ecstasy)	291	265	154	545.89	835.06	2332.36
	ATS~	199	124	196	238.26	3.51	133.30
	Precursors##	1 550	726	253	..	..	..
	PIEDs@	1 181	1 116	981	..	..	..
	Other**	4 074	2 843	1 518	..	..	..
Shipping and aircraft+
	Cannabis	7	6	1	3.99	0.72	-
	Cocaine	-	-	1	-	-	100.67
	Heroin	1	-	-	125.00	-	-
	MDMA (Ecstasy)	-	-	-	-	-	-
	ATS~	3	1	1	0.01	0.01	9.81
	Precursors##	1	-	-	..	..	..
	PIEDs@	-	1	-	..	..	..
	Other**	5	-	-	..	..	..
Total
	Cannabis	701	659	469	22.09	709.42	4.94
	Cocaine	417	653	442	60.70	130.53	193.77
	Heroin	105	63	193	318.93	61.17	176.90
	MDMA (Ecstasy)	311	294	169	556.19	872.95	2374.95
	ATS~	215	140	204	239.33	5.92	151.17
	Precursors##	1 617	782	276	..	..	..
	PIEDs@	1 278	1 216	1 051	..	..	..
	Other**	4156	2 899	1 564	..	..	..

* Drug detections subject to further investigation might not appear.

^ Weight shown may be the confirmed weight (if available) or the gross, net or estimated weight.

Where weight of detections of ATS and MDMA (ecstasy) was not available, an estimate of 0.29g per tablet was used.

Estimated weight values for precursors, PIEDs and ‘Other’ drugs are not shown as there is no consistent unit of measure available. Items in these categories can be measured in grams, volume, dose unit or capsules.

# Includes detections made from air cargo, sea cargo and international post.

+ Includes detections made from searches of sea passengers and crew, vessels and aircraft.

~ Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) includes methamphetamine and amphetamine but excludes MDMA (ecstasy).

## Precursor figures refer to detections of chemical substances that are prohibited imports/exports which may be used in the manufacture of illicit drugs. Many precursors detected were likely not intended for the manufacture of illicit drugs, but were active ingredients in health supplements, cold and flu preparations, herbal medicines and weight-loss products purchased on the Internet.

@ PIEDs include steroids, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone/prasterone) and hormones.

** ‘Other’ drug detections refer to stimulants other than cocaine or amphetamine-type stimulants, narcotics/analgesics other than heroin, psychotropics/hallucinogens other than MDMA (ecstasy) or cannabis products, and all depressants and sedatives. Excludes precursors.

Figures may vary from those previously published due to adjustments arising from administrative corrections, subsequent chemical analysis and further information received from the AFP. Detections subject to further investigation might not initially appear.

Figure 12: Drug detections and significance of offence

				Detections			Weight (kg)*
Significance^			2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05
Commercial
		Cannabis	-	1	-	-	644.38	-
		Cocaine	4	14	15	15.05	49.79	144.97
		Heroin	17	7	10	295.61	47.78	151.27
		MDMA (Ecstasy)	16	32	21	550.14	861.81	2 369.49
		ATS**	2	1	8	233.90	2.32	146.78
Trafficable
		Cannabis	44	31	13	18.99	63.03	3.20
		Cocaine	390	616	411	45.63	80.72	48.79
		Heroin	86	53	179	23.32	13.39	25.63
		MDMA (Ecstasy)	281	247	146	6.05	11.13	5.46
		ATS**	179	117	170	5.41	3.59	4.37
Minor
		Cannabis	657	627	456	3.10	2.01	1.73
		Cocaine	23	23	16	0.02	0.02	0.01
		Heroin	2	3	4	0.00	0.00	0.00
		MDMA (Ecstasy)	14	15	2	0.00	0.00	0.00
		ATS**	34	22	26	0.02	0.01	0.02
Total
		Cannabis	701	659	469	22.09	709.42	4.94
		Cocaine	417	653	442	60.70	130.53	193.77
		Heroin	105	63	193	318.93	61.17	176.90
		MDMA (Ecstasy)	311	294	169	556.19	872.95	2 374.95
		ATS**	215	140	204	239.33	5.92	151.17

* Weight may be confirmed weight (if available) or gross, net or estimated weight. Where detections of amphetamine-type stimulants and MDMA (ecstasy) was not available, an estimate of 0.29g per tablet was used.

^ Significance of offence is based on the classification used in the Customs Act 1901 and is summarised as:

	Heroin	Cocaine	Cannabis	Cannabis resin	MDMA (ecstasy)	ATS
Commercial	1.5kg and over	2kg and over	100kg and over	50kg and over	0.5kg and over	0.75kg and over
Trafficable	Between 2g and 1.5kg	Between 2g and 2kg	Between 100g and 100kg	Between 20g and 50kg	Between 0.5g and 0.5kg	Between 2g and 0.75kg
Minor	Less than 2g	Less than 2g	Less than 100g	Less than 20g	Less than 0.5g	Less than 2g

** Amphetamine-type stimulants includes methamphetamine and amphetamine but excludes MDMA (ecstasy).

Commonwealth legislation specifying commercial quantities of amphetamine and methamphetamine (and other narcotic substances) took effect on 10 December 2004. Previous Annual Reports assumed a commercial quantity of 2kg for amphetamine-type stimulants. These figures have been revised.

Figures may vary from those previously published due to adjustments arising from administrative corrections, subsequent chemical analysis and further information received from Australian Federal Police. Also, detections subject to further investigation (including controlled deliveries) might not initially appear.

MDMA (ecstasy)

The quantity of MDMA detected increased from 872kg in 2003–04 to 2.4 tonnes in 2004–05, with a decrease in the number of detections (see Figure 13).

Figure 13: Number and weight (kg) of MDMA (ecstasy) detections

Precursor chemicals

Customs is a key national partner in collaborative efforts to combat the diversion of precursor chemicals. The National Working Group to Prevent the Diversion of Precursor Chemicals into Illicit Drug Manufacture (the Precursor Working Group) involves Australian and State and Territory Government representatives and members of health, law enforcement, regulatory and industry bodies.

The Precursor Working Group evaluated:

• the impact of precursor controls
• shared intelligence on precursors and clandestine laboratories.

Customs provided input to:

• a feasibility report and an evaluation report into the National Clandestine Laboratory Database
• a project proposal for the National Industrial Chemical Notification and Assessment Scheme Database—a database that will enable more detailed tracking of chemical movements within Australia.

In April 2005, Customs delivered the first of ten precursor training courses to enhance Customs officers’ ability to detect and intercept precursor chemicals and equipment. The training courses use a range of expert domestic and international presenters and incorporates a chemical familiarisation component conducted in dedicated laboratory facilities. The courses assist Customs officers in developing knowledge of chemical precursors and their role in illicit drug manufacture, as well as familiarisation with basic properties of precursors, methods of concealment, misdescription and importation sources. The training is complemented by the creation of information and intelligence sharing networks with external partners in each Customs region to better target precursor diversion.

Customs made two major detections of piperonal, a MDMA precursor chemical, in December 2004 in Sydney and in February 2005 in Melbourne. Over three tonnes of piperonal were detected.

Figure 14: Interceptions of precursor type drugs*

			2002–03	2003–04	2004–05
Air passengers and crew
	Precursor for amphetamine type substance^		66	56	23
	Precursor for LSD~		-	-	-
	Precursor for GHB (Fantasy)+		-	-	-
	Precursor for MDMA (Ecstasy)<		-	-	-
Cargo and Postal**
	Precursor for amphetamine type substance^		1506	705	235
	Precursor for LSD~		29	9	6
	Precursor for GHB (Fantasy)+		12	11	8
	Precursor for MDMA (Ecstasy)<		3	1	4
Other^^
	Precursor for amphetamine type substance^		1	-	-
	Precursor for LSD~		-	-	-
	Precursor for GHB (Fantasy)+		-	-	-
	Precursor for MDMA (Ecstasy)<		-	-	-
Total
	Precursor for amphetamine type substance^		1573	761	258
	Precursor for LSD~		29	9	6
	Precursor for GHB (Fantasy)+		12	11	8
	Precursor for MDMA (Ecstasy)<		3	1	4

* Precursor figures refer to detections of chemical substances that are prohibited imports/exports which may be used in the manufacture of illicit drugs. Many of the precursors detected were likely not intended for the manufacture of illicit drugs, but were active ingredients in health supplements, cold and flu preparations, herbal medicines and weight-loss products purchased on the internet.

^ Precursors for amphetamine-type stimulants include ephedrine, ma huang/ephedra, henylpropanolamine/norephedrine, pseudoephedrine. The USA Food and Drug Administration introduced domestic controls on ephedra in December 2003, which took effect in March 2004. The restricted availability of these products is likely to have reduced the incidence of individuals importing ephedra products advertised as legal in the USA, unaware that it is a prohibited import in Australia. This would result in reduced rates of detection.

~ Precursors for LSD includes ergometrine and ergotamine.

+ Precursor for GHB (Fantasy) include gammabutyrolactone (GBL). However, GBL is also subject to abuse in its own right, and is treated as a narcotic substance under Customs legislation.

< Precursors for MDMA (Ecstasy)may also be precursors to related drugs such as MDA or MDEA, and includes piperonal, and safrole, isosafrole, and methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone (3,4-MDP-2-P).

** Includes detections made from air cargo, sea cargo and international post.

^^ Includes detections made from searches of sea passengers and crew, vessels and aircraft.

Figures may vary from those previously published due to adjustments arising from administrative corrections, subsequent chemical analysis and further information received from Australian Federal Police. Also, detections subject to further investigation (including controlled deliveries) might not initially appear.

Targeting amphetamines

Project PRISM (Precursors Required In Synthetic Manufacture) is an international project on amphetamine-type stimulant precursors coordinated by the International Narcotics Control Board of the United Nations. Customs is the central national authority and acts as the single contact point for domestic and international agencies for Project PRISM. The Project operates by developing and implementing standard mechanisms and procedures to improve the application of regulatory and law enforcement controls on amphetamine-type stimulant precursors. Supporting activities include:

• identification of suspicious shipments
• identification of patterns of operation and smuggling routes
• prevention activities such as awareness-raising initiatives.

Customs is also a member of the Project PRISM Task Force, the governing body of the Project, and in this capacity acts as the regional focal point for Oceania. This role involves sharing information on regional precursor seizures and trends and launching and coordinating regional operations.

In 2004–05, the weight of amphetamine-type stimulants detections increased from 6kg to 151kg. The number of amphetamine-type stimulants detections increased from 140 to 204.

• identification of patterns of operation and smuggling routes
• prevention activities such as awareness-raising initiatives.

Customs is also a member of the Project PRISM Task Force, the governing body of the Project, and in this capacity acts as the regional focal point for Oceania. This role involves sharing information on regional precursor seizures and trends and launching and coordinating regional operations.

In 2004–05, the weight of amphetamine-type stimulants detections increased from 6kg to 151kg. The number of amphetamine-type stimulants detections increased from 140 to 204 (see Figures 15 and 17).

Figure 15: Number and weight (kg) of amphetamine-type stimulants* detections

Figure 16: Amphetamine-type stimulants and crystalline methamphetamine (ice) detections by weight (kg)

		Amphetamine-type stimulants#			Crystalline methamphetamine (ice)^
		Detections	Weight (kg)*		Detections	Weight (kg)*
2002–03		198	6.15		17	233.18
2003–04		128	3.55		12	2.37
2004–05		186	27.31		18	123.85

* Weight shown in the above table is an estimation. Weight is calculated using 0.29gm per tablet where a weight was not available. Some small quantity shipments of amphetamine-type stimulants do not have weight recorded, so these weight figures are a slight under estimate.

# Amphetamine-type stimulants include amphetamines and methamphetamines in liquid, capsule, paste, powder or tablet form. It does not include MDMA (Ecstasy) or the crystalline variety of methamphetamine called ‘ice’.

^ Crystalline methamphetamine is shown separately, but would usually be included in figures for amphetamine-type stimulants.

Figures may vary from those previously published due to adjustments arising from administrative corrections, subsequent chemical analysis and further information received from Australian Federal Police. Also, detections subject to further investigation (including controlled deliveries) might not initially appear.

Potent forms of methamphetamine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund (NDLERF) has commissioned research to examine the increased prevalence of more potent forms of methamphetamine in Australia. Customs, with the New South Wales Police, is co-investigator with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. The project is focusing on the supply and distribution networks for methamphetamine, especially crystalline methamphetamine (ice).

A preliminary report, The Methamphetamine Situation in Australia: A Review of Routine Data Sources, was released in 2004 as a tool for policy makers and researchers.

The final data collection phase has been completed and the final report will be released by the NDLERF Board in early 2005–06.

The number and weight of methamphetamine detections by Customs is further detailed below.

Figure 17: Number and weight (kg) of crystalline methamphetamine* detections

Tough on Drugs in Sport

The primary focus of the Government’s Tough on Drugs in Sport Strategy is to prevent the illegitimate use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. It encompasses a range of regulatory, legislative, policy, research and educational anti-doping initiatives. Customs has key supply reduction responsibilities under the strategy.

Australia also supports the World Anti-Doping Code and the Copenhagen Declaration and has a commitment to a comprehensive anti-doping framework. The ready availability of Customs information for use in anti-doping investigations and hearings is an essential element of such a framework.

Interceptions of performance and image enhancing drugs are below.

Figure 18: Interceptions of performance and image enhancing drugs

			2002–03	2003–04	2004–05
Air passengers and crew
		Steroids	63	75	54
		DHEA~	29	19	10
		Hormones#	5	5	6
Cargo and Postal*
		Steroids	632	724	705
		DHEA~	372	237	176
		Hormones#	177	155	100
Other^
		Steroids	-	1	-
		DHEA~	-	-	-
		Hormones#	-	-	-
Total
		Steroids	695	800	759
		DHEA~	401	256	186
		Hormones#	182	160	106

* Includes detections made from air cargo, sea cargo and international post.

^ Includes importations via sea passengers and crew, vessels, aircraft and detections arising from post-border operations.

~ DHEA is dehydroepiandrosterone/prasterone.

# Detections of EPO, Darbepoetin alpha and natural and manufactured gonadotrophins are included in the figuresfor hormones.

Figures may vary from those previously published due to adjustments arising from administrative corrections, subsequent chemical analysis and further information received from the Australian Federal Police. Also, detections subject to further investigation (including controlled deliveries) might not initially appear.

Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD)

Customs is a member of the IGCD, a forum of senior officers who represent health and law enforcement agencies from each Australian jurisdiction and New Zealand. The IGCD advises the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy on drug-related matters and implements National Drug Strategy policies and programs.

A key outcome from the IGCD in 2004–05 was the establishment of an IGCD Scheduling Working Party on Controlled Substances to recommend which substances and plants, with appropriate quantities for each, should be included in the proposed Serious Drug Offences legislation. The Working Party will also review the voluntary Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) National Code of Practice for Supply Diversion into Illicit Drug Manufacture (the PACIA Code). Customs also provides the Secretariat function.

Customs role in drug research

Close partnerships have been developed with peak research bodies such as the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) through Customs assistance in the preparation of the Illicit Drug Reporting System, a yearly report by NDARC on Australia’s drug environment.

Customs also contributed to external drug-related research such as the Australian Crime Commission’s Illicit Drug Data Report 2003–2004 (published in 2005).

Customs played a lead role in NDLERF through representation on its Board of Management. Customs was actively involved in a number of research projects, including developing performance measurements for drug law enforcement and research on the scale and scope of drug market activity.

Cocaine use in New South Wales and Victoria

NDARC is conducting a project which aims to determine the scale of the Australian cocaine market, especially affluent cocaine users who are less likely to come to the attention of health and law enforcement authorities. The project commenced in April 2004. Customs is represented on the Reference Group. A draft report has been circulated to Reference Group members.

Performance measurement in drug law enforcement

Customs is working with the Australian Institute of Criminology on a project to enhance performance measurement in drug law enforcement in Australia.

The first stage of the project was completed this year. This involved review of existing systems and processes and development of a trial performance measurement system. The second stage will trial performance measures.

Customs is the trial agency at the national level and New South Wales Police is the trial agency at the jurisdictional level.

A project team member from the Australian Institute of Criminology is located in Customs.

United Nations international drug control programs

Customs contributed to Australia’s reporting to the United Nations in three reports:

• the 2004 annual report on the operation of the international drug control treaties
• the Biennial Reports Questionnaire for reporting on the action plans and measures adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem
• the annual report to the International Narcotics Control Board for the implemen-tation of Article 12 of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988.

United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs Resolutions

Australia co-sponsored several resolutions at the 48th Session in March 2005. One resolution strengthened international cooperation to prevent the illicit manufacture of and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Another promoted sharing information on emerging trends in substances not controlled under the international drug control Conventions.

Identity fraud

Customs participates in several forums to address identity fraud including the Opal Group and the Commonwealth Reference Group on Identity Fraud.

Opal Group

The Opal group is comprised of a number of Commonwealth agencies and is chaired by the Australian Federal Police. It meets quarterly to share information on latest trends.

Commonwealth Reference Group on Identity Fraud

Customs participates in the Commonwealth Reference Group on Identity Fraud which is chaired by the Attorney General’s Department. The Reference Group is responsible for developing a whole-of-government strategy to enhance identification and verification processes in Commonwealth agencies.

Customs is participating in working groups established by the Reference Group to focus on specific issues such as authentication standards, integrity of identity data, document verification services and standard frameworks for proof of identity.

Money laundering

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – Asia Pacific Group (APG)

Australia’s anti-money laundering regime is currently being reviewed by FATF. As a member of the FATF–APG Coordination Group, Customs is involved both in contributing to the Australian response to the FATF evaluation questionnaire and met with the FATF evaluation team which visited Canberra in March 2005.

Customs contributed to the development of Australia’s legislative response to changes in the FATF recommendations, especially for cash courier issues. This involvement will continue through to passage of legislation anticipatedin 2006.

Corruption

Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials

In the first half of 2005, Australia’s compliance with the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions was reviewed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Customs contributed to the Australian response to the OECD evaluation questionnaire and met with the OECD evaluation team in June 2005. Customs undertook several steps to raise awareness of the Convention among Customs stakeholders, including providing information on the Customs Internet site. The outcome of the review is not yet finalised.

Investigations

Customs investigates serious Customs offences including the illegal movement of prohibited and restricted goods across the Australian border. Customs also conducts financial investigations in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 for recovery of assets associated with criminal offences.

Customs investigators work according to the Australian Government Investigation Standards and the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines 2002.

Figure 19 summarises the number of matters involving the import and export of prohibited and restricted goods managed by Customs Investigations Branch. The gradual rise in the number of matters referred for investigation reflects the increasing rate of detections at the border.

Figure 19: Summary of investigations activities concerning the illegal import and export of prohibited and regulated goods such as weapons, performance enhancing drugs, precursor chemicals, child pornography, flora and fauna

		2002–03	2003–04	2004–05
Referrals received*		1 879	2 033	2 368
Cases adopted		627	561	387
Cases completed^
with prosecution (through courts)		128	112	106
without prosecution		504	427	274
Cases where prosecution briefs completed^		134	119	95

* A referral is where information is passed to the Customs Investigations Branch for further investigation. A case is a referral that is found to warrant further examination. Where that examination finds sufficient evidence to satisfy a court that an offence was committed, a brief of evidence, or prosecution brief, is prepared for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (for criminal matters) or the Australian Government Solicitor (for civil matters). In some cases, prosecution does not take place. An example of this is where, rather than prosecuting, the goods in question are seized and a warning issued.

^ Includes cases adopted in previous years.

Customs continues to work jointly with other agencies for offences detected at the Australian border that are also related to other Commonwealth and State jurisdictions, such as firearm trafficking.

Customs became an authorised agency empowered to undertake investigation activity in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 when the Act entered into effect in January 2003. During the financial years 2003–04 and 2004–05, Customs gradually increased attention to the identification and recovery of criminal assets associated with serious import and export offences. Four cases were investigated in that period and one of these investigations resulted in the restraint of alleged criminal assets, having an estimated value of $370 000.

Managed deliveries

The Customs Act requires that the Minister for Justice and Customs report annually any managed deliveries undertaken by Customs officers in the course of their duty. A managed delivery refers to the practice of arranging the delivery of any quantity of prohibited goods or smuggled goods into the possession of a person suspected to have committed an offence, and who is expecting the delivery of those goods.

Customs conducted 18 managed deliveries for the illegal import and export of prohibited and regulated goods. Prosecution action has commenced in relation to five of these managed deliveries and investigation continues in relation to ten others, with a further three cases terminated. Seven defendants in these matters entered guilty pleas to offences including importation of precursor drugs, money laundering and evasion of Customs duty.

 

Customs home | Contact Customs | Privacy Information | Copyright | Disclaimer