Customs now has available to it equipment with an ‘incredible’ capacity to pick up even the most minute traces of illicit drugs—plus some highly trained and specialised ship and aircraft search crews to use it.

The technology includes:

• large X-ray machines for scanning cargo;
• backscatter X-ray equipment to detect materials in suitcases or cargo that would not be picked up by conventional X-ray equipment;
• ionscan particle analysing equipment that can detect minute particles of a wide range of illicit substances; and
• a hand-held device called a ‘Buster Contraband Detector’ that measures the dimensions of a container and tells, by measuring any change in density, whether it contains a false cavity.

Search facilities have been established in capital cities to fulfil an important element of Customs activity by investing heavily in technology. Such innovations allow quicker, more effective and less intrusive examination of cargo and also allow specialist ship and aircraft search crews to quickly determine whether a more detailed inspection is needed.

Opening Customs new Ships’ Search Centre of Expertise in Adelaide recently, where specialist staff are trained for its operational centres, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, said that the new centre reflected Australia’s commitment to keeping illicit drugs out of the country.

"This search training facility represents a key component in the vital task of protecting the community at the border," she said. "It can be used to train up to 20 cargo search officers at a time.

"Today’s criminals use hi-tech methods to conceal prohibited goods from authorities. This equipment will help Customs to stay ahead."

The training facility is similar to those operating in Canada and Britain. The centre conducts courses on contemporary ship search techniques, procedures and operations; conducts reviews and certification of trained officers; liaises with health and safety regulators and assists in identifying appropriate equipment and emerging technology.

Quite a number of regional officers have already completed the training course. All are to remain available for ship search duties for at least two years and can be deployed to other regions to supplement local staff.

Frank Malkoun, who has had extensive border experience, is the inaugural Manager of the Centre of Excellence. Frank, and some selected officers from the four regions, attended ship search training courses in Canada and Britain before our centre opened.