The Australian Border Force (ABF) has steered away from its primary responsibility for border security to support an internal law enforcement operation aimed at disrupting the supply of methamphetamine across the Australian community.
ABF has supported Operation Vitreus, a weeklong operation coordinated by the National Methylamphetamine Strategy Group.
Announcing its support, ABF said the operation involved law enforcement partners from across Australia, as well as the New Zealand Police, targeting domestic “ice” supply chains.
It said the operation resulted in 272 arrests and 659 charges nationally, while State and Territory police also seized around 3.5kg of methylamphetamine, 18.2kg of cannabis, 2kg of steroids, 863 LSD tablets, 3,442 tablets/capsules of MDMA, 423g of MDMA powder, and approximately 13g of heroin.
ABF said it also located 16 firearms and nearly $200,000 in cash.
The Border Force said that while it protected the community primarily by intercepting illicit substances at the border, it took part in the national operation by providing technical expertise and equipment and hosting officers from other jurisdictions in ABF facilities.
Acting Assistant Commissioner, Port Operations Command with the ABF, Rod O’Donnell said the Agency was pleased to be able to support the initiative.
“This national operation demonstrates the high levels of collaboration and cooperation across the law enforcement community and the ABF’s commitment to tackling illicit drugs before, at and after the border,” Assistant Commissioner O’Donnell said.
“In addition to our significant work offshore and with local law enforcement partners to prevent the importation of methamphetamine and other drugs, we are also supporting efforts to prevent the spread of these dangerous substances through the community.”
