Multi-Agency International Crime Taskforce Arrests 40 People Worldwide for Drug Related Offenses

A multi-agency international crime taskforce has arrested 40 people worldwide and prevented more than $13.7 million of ice and ecstasy reaching Australia’s streets. The alleged international drug smuggling syndicate, operating in six countries, has been dismantled in a major global operation.

Internationally, law enforcement officers have seized 600 kilograms of cocaine, 111 kilograms of methamphetamine, 83 kilograms of ecstasy and 1200 kilograms of precursor materials, including ephedrine and MDP2P, which are used in the production of methamphetamine and ecstasy.

The Australian Joint Asian Crime Group (JACG), Canada’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) and US Drug Enforcement Administration operation also seized $6.7 million worth of real estate, $2.3 million in cash and has resulted in the arrest of 40 people, 14 of them in Australia.

The Australian arm of the investigation led to the seizure of 28.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 23 kilograms of ecstasy tablets in Sydney and Melbourne, allegedly imported into Australia by the Canadian-based syndicate.

JACG Coordinator Detective Chief Inspector John Lehmann said the success of the operation demonstrated the value of the JACG to the Australian community.

“By using the combined expertise of the various agencies which are members of the JACG we have been able to work with international law enforcement agencies to dismantle a syndicate allegedly responsible for large volumes of illicit drugs reaching Australia’s streets,” Detective Chief Inspector Lehmann said.

The first arrests in Sydney came after information was received by the JACG which resulted in Customs officers in Sydney discovering 15 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in the lining and frames of three large suitcases on 15 August 2007.

Since August this year, the JACG investigation has resulted in the charging of 14 people in Melbourne and Sydney with drug offences, including conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

This was the second alleged international drug syndicate that had been dismantled in the past week, following the AFP’s arrest of two alleged drug kingpins in Melbourne and Canberra and the apprehension of another in The Netherlands.

“The Australian police agencies involved in the JACG recognise the value in cooperating with international police agencies in drug matters and this strategy continues to reap rewards for the Australian community through the dismantling of major smuggling syndicates and the prevention of drug smuggling supply,” the JACG coordinator said.

The JACG is a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary unit comprising the AFP, NSW Police Force, Australian Customs Service, the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission. The specialist expertise of its member agencies is used to target major organised criminal activity of Asian syndicates in NSW.

“The JACG will continue to target and prosecute individuals and organised groups involved in the importation and supply of prohibited drugs in NSW,” Detective Chief Inspector Lehmann said.

The maximum penalty for the Commonwealth drug importation charges is life imprisonment. The maximum penalty for the NSW supply charges is 25 years imprisonment.

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