Issued on behalf of all agencies:
A joint police operation in Tasmania and Queensland with transnational connections
has led to the arrest of six men including four members of the Rebels Motorcycle
Club, on charges relating to the alleged trafficking, possession and importation of
more than 8kg of amphetamine from the United Kingdom.
The drugs are believed to have an estimated street value of at least $20 million.
The Australian Crime Commission-led Eligo National Task Force coordinated the
operation which involved Tasmania Police, Queensland Police Service, Australian
Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
(ACBPS) in partnership with West Mercia Police (UK).
Australian Crime Commission National Manager of Investigations, Richard Grant
said the syndicate, which was allegedly operating both domestically and
internationally, was identified as a result of ACC intelligence.
“The investigation indicated the men were planning to import several packages of
illicit drugs through an international parcel courier service,” he said.
“As a result, Tasmania Police and ACBPS officials intercepted two packages sent
from the United Kingdom which contained approximately 4kg of amphetamines. Two
further packages totalling another 4kg were later intercepted in Queensland.”
On 28th July 2014, the National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) led a controlled operation
and search warrants in Queensland with support from Queensland Police Task
Force Maxima and the Australian Crime Commission.
This led to the arrest of a 27-year-old Tasmanian man living in Queensland, alleged
to be a member of the Rebels OMCG and another man in Queensland. The
searches also led to the arrest of three men in Tasmania including a 26-year-old
member of the Rebels OMCG.
Meanwhile in the United Kingdom, officers from West Mercia Police Serious and
Organised Crime Unit arrested a 27-year-old man from Kidderminster in Liverpool
yesterday. He was questioned and has since been released on police bail pending
further inquires.
West Mercia’s Detective Inspector Carl Moore said they have been keen to share
intelligence and expertise with their Australian counterparts.
“If it leads us to criminality taking place in the UK, all the better.”
“We will now be working together to ensure our efforts leads to charges for those we
believe have been involved in the criminal drugs trafficking operation,” he said.
The Australian arrests come as law enforcement continues to crack down on the
Rebels as part of the Attero National Task Force which is focussed on disrupting,
disabling and dismantling their criminal activities.
AFP National Manager Serious and Organised Crime Ramzi Jabbour said that these
results should serve as a warning to organised crime groups operating in Australia.
The NAGS provides existing support to state taskforces and the opportunity to
enhance and support investigations, as well as the ability to access information,
intelligence and capabilities of federal agencies, including the AFP’s international
network.
This joint operation involving the NAGS is an excellent example of the AFP
cooperates with partner law enforcement agencies, at a state, federal and
international level.
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Donna Adams said the investigation had
dealt a significant blow to the Tasmania drugs market and should be an indication to
the rest of the country, and overseas, that illicit drugs drug will not be tolerated.
“Criminal entities including OMCGs are developing in sophistication. This is why
collaborative efforts by law enforcement agencies are an important element in
staying ahead of the game,” Assistant Commissioner Adams said.
“Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) are the second most widely used illicit drug in
Australia and Tasmania is not immune. Tasmania Police, in conjunction with our
state and Commonwealth partner agencies, will continue to proactively investigate all
reports of illicit drug manufacture and drug trafficking.”
ACBPS Regional Commander Victoria and Tasmania Don Smith said Customs and
Border Protection officers in Tasmania were involved in the operation through
intelligence gathering, surveillance activity, parcel examinations and search
warrants.
“Our detector dogs and mobile x-ray van were also on site,” Mr Smith said.
“By having a close relationship with federal and state counterparts, we are able to
disrupt organised crime and ensure criminals are held accountable for their actions.”
Taskforce Maxima Commander Superintendent Mick Niland from Queensland
reinforced the need for law enforcement to work together.
“The collaboration of national law enforcement agencies was instrumental in the
success of this operation – it is through a united and committed approach criminal
gangs such as the Rebels will be dismantled,” he said.
The men arrested in Tasmania will face Hobart Magistrates Court, while the
Queensland men front Southport Magistrates Court, this morning.
The Eligo National Task Force was established in 2012 as an Australian Crime
Commission-led special investigation into the use of alternative remittance and
informal value transfer systems by serious and organised crime. Since then it has
seized more than $665 million worth of drugs and assets, including $38.5 million in
cash.
The task force comprises the Australian Crime Commission, the Australian
Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the AFP, in partnership
with the ACBPS and state and territory police.
