AFP raids expose Customs scandal
In September last year, the Australian Federal Police swooped on an illegal tobacco smuggling syndicate, Nick Mckenzie reports.
- Autoplay OnOff
- Video feedback
- Video settings
- Customs staff linked to airport drug ring
- Inquiry needed into border watchdog
- Read the AFP press release on the customs officer arrest
- Read the AFP press release on the AQIS officer arrest
The Australian Federal Police on Thursday said eight people had been arrested following a two-year investigation into corruption, including three people arrested in raids across Sydney on Monday.
The details of the investigation and arrests can only be released on Thursday after a suppression order from a Victorian court was lifted, Home Affairs Minister, Jason Clare said.
.
Those arrested on Monday include a 28-year-old Burwood man, customs officer Paul Lamella, who has been accused of facilitating two importations of approximately 10 kilograms of pseudoephedrine in June 2009 and May 2010 through Sydney Airport.
A 22-year-old North Sydney woman and a 27-year-old Abbotsford woman were arrested during the same raids for their role as alleged drug couriers. The two women have been charged with drug importation offences.
On Wednesday, a 35-year-old Caringbah woman, who is an Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service official, was arrested and charged with corruption offences.
.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Tony Negus said four other people had been arrested earlier this year in the investigation.
A new board will be set up to root out corruption in the Australian customs service following the arrests of eight people allegedly linked to a syndicate exploiting major gaps in airport and customs security at Sydney Airport.
Justice James Wood, who oversaw a royal commission that exposed widespread corruption within the NSW Police Force, will sit on the new Customs Reform Board that was announced on Thursday morning following revelations of one of Australia’s most serious corruption scandals centering on the airport.
A six-month Fairfax Media investigation - done with the ABC’s 7.30 program - has revealed that at least 15 officials in Sydney Airport border security posts are suspected of involvement in serious misconduct or corruption, ranging from criminal association and leaking information to drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, money laundering and bribery. The number may be as high as 20.
Mr Clare said on Thursday three ‘‘distinguished Australians’’ had been appointed to the new Customs Reform Board, which would report directly to him.
They are Justice Wood, former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney and David Mortimer, the former CEO of TNT Limited, former deputy chairman of Ansett and former chairman of Australia Post and Leighton Holdings.
‘‘In the case of Justice Wood, you’ve got Australia’s best corruption hunter, the man who was the architect of corruption reforms here in NSW, the best of the best,’’ Mr Clare said.
‘‘The job of the board will be to provide me with advice, and recommendation on further reform that is required ...’’
He said the overwhelming majority of customs officers were honest and hard-working, and would be disgusted by Thursday’s revelations.
‘‘My message to them is this: you can expect more stings, you can expect more arrests and you can expect more reform. And if you’re a corrupt officer, you can expect to get caught,’’ Mr Clare said.
‘‘If you’re corrupt, we will hunt you down and lock you up. That is what this operation is all about.’’
Mr Clare said major reforms had been introduced to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service this year as a result of the investigation, including covert operations to test the integrity of customs officers, and drug and alcohol testing.
No comments:
Post a Comment