A joint Agency taskforce charged with targeting criminal networks led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) is to be expanded.
Operation Centinel was set up earlier this year to further harden the nation’s sea and aviation supply chains against organised criminal operations.
Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton said Centinel would now build on its existing capabilities to include the skills and expertise of representatives from the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
“The additional powers, skills and knowledge brought by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and AUSTRAC will ensure the taskforce is using the full breadth of Agencies under the Home Affairs portfolio,” Mr Dutton said.
“These criminal networks are targeting some of our most vulnerable, including children, so we are resolute in our efforts to stamp out this crime type and this taskforce is sending a very clear message that criminal enterprises are not welcome here in Australia.”
He said the changes meant the taskforce could expand its operations even further to make sure it could identify, target and disrupt criminal supply chains both offshore and at the border.
“The expanded taskforce will deploy a variety of disruption tactics, including investigations and prosecution, enhanced compliance activity, legislative and policy reform, offshore disruption, and industry engagement to address criminality and regulatory issues,” Mr Dutton said.
“With a presence in every State, the taskforce has access to the full force of Commonwealth powers and has sworn in a number of ABF officers as AFP Special Members.”
The Minister said ABF officers appointed as AFP Special Members would be able to exercise AFP powers for the purpose of obtaining evidence under the Crimes Act 1914, including search warrants to investigate migration, visa, trade, citizenship and customs offences.
