A joint operation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australia Post has seen more than half a tonne of illicit drugs sent by mail intercepted on their way to Queensland.
AFP Detective Superintendent Helen Schneider said the joint effort to detect and disrupt criminals using the international postal system started in May last year when an Australia Post Group security liaison officer was embedded with AFP investigators in Brisbane.
“Over the past nine months, nearly 160 packages were detected and referred to the joint operation set up to target criminal syndicates shipping contraband into the State,” Detective Superintendent Schneider said.
“The seizures referred to the AFP for investigation include a total of 203kg of methamphetamine, more than 180kg of cocaine, 48kg of heroin, 26.3kg of GBL, 4kg of opium and more than 5.5kg of ketamine, which were addressed to Queensland homes and businesses,” she said.
“Illicit drugs were found hidden in a range of items, including candles, clothing, books and electronic equipment.”
Detective Superintendent Schneider said having an embedded Australia Post member allowed investigators to respond much more quickly when illicit substances in the postal stream were discovered.
She said the AFP was aware that organised crime groups used the mail and parcel post system to import illicit drugs in combination with their other import streams.
“The ability for our investigators to access real-time intelligence from Australia Post has enabled the AFP to trace criminal networks and disrupt them swiftly,” Detective Superintendent Schneider said.
“The AFP is actively targeting mail and air cargo streams in close collaboration with partner agencies,” she said.
“Australia Post assistance increases investigative opportunities for law enforcement agencies and aims to strengthen the exploitation of supply chain.”
