Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Sky News: Customs brought in drug mules - Sky News Australia


Customs brought in drug mules


Customs officers helped drug mules smuggle illicit substances from overseas and then escorted them past checkpoints at Sydney Airport, authorities allege.


Eight people, including two Customs officers accused of being ringleaders, have been charged following a two-year investigation into corruption within the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.


The full extent of the alleged operation was revealed on Thursday.


'We're currently investigating a whole range of leads that may result in further charges being levied and also further individuals being arrested,' Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner, Tony Negus, told reporters in Sydney.


Two Customs officers allegedly arranged for two women to travel overseas and bring 10kg quantities of the precursor drug pseudoephedrine - used to manufacture methamphetamine - back from Thailand and another undisclosed location.


They would meet their accomplices at the plane, escort them through the Customs area of the airport and then into the arrivals hall where they were free to continue on their way with the drugs.


'What these people have done is let everyone down in that process by allegedly bringing people past those barriers and past that process without any individual scrutiny,' Mr Negus said.


'They're trusted to make judgments about passengers and they really act in those areas as the gatekeeper.'


It's suspected that other drug shipments may have entered the country via the alleged drug import ring, and Mr Negus said he wasn't surprised by media reports linking the operation to bikies and other organised crime groups.


This week, charges were laid over two alleged shipments which entered Australia via Sydney Airport in 2009 and 2010.


A 28-year-old serving Customs officer with six years experience has been charged with receiving bribes, drug possession and importation and possessing prohibited weapons.


A 35-year-old serving officer of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) was charged with receiving a corrupt benefit and other corruption offences.


Police said inquiries were continuing into her alleged involvement in the wider conspiracy.


On Tuesday, the two accused drug mules were also charged with corruption and drug importation offences.


One woman was arrested in Sydney and the other in Adelaide, with the latter expected to be extradited to Sydney.


Mr Negus said one of the women was an Australian citizen and the other was a French national living in Australia.


Authorities are continuing to investigate their travel patterns prior to the investigation commencing almost two years ago.


In August and October, a 25-year-old male Customs officer, two other men and one woman were charged with various corruption and drug importation offences.


All of the alleged offenders have appeared in court.


The Customs officers remain in custody with some of their alleged accomplices but others have been granted bail.


There are a number of friendships and other relationships among the drug ring, authorities allege.


Mr Negus said the alleged ring was based in Australia.



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