poledriver
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2005
- Messages
- 11,543
Illicit drugs sent in the post seized by police in national Operation Vitreus
A national operation targeting drugs sent through the post has led to more than 1,000 seizures around the country.
Operation Vitreus saw each state and territory undertake a two-day operation in late May and early June.
"What was discovered was a disturbing and alarming array of illicit substances and illegally obtained prescription medications," SA Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said.
State Seizures
Qld 381
Vic. 312
WA 183
NT 89
SA 35
ACT 29
Tas. 23
NSW 21
Source: AFP
Overall more than 40 kilograms of methylamphetamine were seized, along with 25kg of cannabis and 13.5kg of cocaine.
Assistant Commissioner Duval said the largest single seizure was an 8kg package of methylamphetamine.
He said about 50 arrests have been made so far around Australia.
"Many other investigations are ongoing and it's also likely that further charges will be laid," he said.
"This operation should serve as warning to those who trade in illicit drugs and seek to use the mail service to conduct their business, and also to those who may be persuaded to receive mail items on behalf of someone else."
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Peter Sykora said drugs were found in all sorts of packages.
"Anything that people can send in the mail — there's always a way it can be secreted in a particular part," he said.
"We've seen things in food products, we've seen it in toys, normal cards, in machine parts, you name it."
Drug packages being sent from Europe, Asia
Commander Sykora said the operation highlighted the importance of national coordination.
"It's all about high frequency and low volume in regards to the drugs that come in [which] inundates our resources," he said.
He said the operation had also provided vital intelligence.
"We can form a real clear picture as to who's responsible for the importation of drugs, but also the distribution of the drugs," he said.
Drug seized Weight
Methylamphetamine 40.6kg
Cannabis 25.3kg
Cocaine 13.5kg
Heroin 2.2kg
MDMA (ecstasy) 855g
Steroids 507g
Source: AFP
The AFP is concerned many of the drugs in the mail are being sent from overseas.
"Whether it's people purchasing it on the dark web, or through other means ... our aim is to actually tackle it at the source," Commander Sykora said.
"We're looking at places such as Europe, particularly Asia and the like, where these drugs are coming from, and we'll be able to take some action there."
Matthew O'Connor from Australian Border Force (ABF) said the operation provided a snapshot of an ongoing problem.
"During financial year 2016/2017 the ABF has made about 75,000 detections of prohibited imports at international mail gateways. That equates to about 200 detections per day," he said.
"The intelligence gathered during the week of action will lead to more targeting opportunities for the ABF to detect and disrupt drugs reaching our streets in the future."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-...-in-national-police-operation-vitreus/8723342
A national operation targeting drugs sent through the post has led to more than 1,000 seizures around the country.
Operation Vitreus saw each state and territory undertake a two-day operation in late May and early June.
"What was discovered was a disturbing and alarming array of illicit substances and illegally obtained prescription medications," SA Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said.
State Seizures
Qld 381
Vic. 312
WA 183
NT 89
SA 35
ACT 29
Tas. 23
NSW 21
Source: AFP
Overall more than 40 kilograms of methylamphetamine were seized, along with 25kg of cannabis and 13.5kg of cocaine.
Assistant Commissioner Duval said the largest single seizure was an 8kg package of methylamphetamine.
He said about 50 arrests have been made so far around Australia.
"Many other investigations are ongoing and it's also likely that further charges will be laid," he said.
"This operation should serve as warning to those who trade in illicit drugs and seek to use the mail service to conduct their business, and also to those who may be persuaded to receive mail items on behalf of someone else."
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Peter Sykora said drugs were found in all sorts of packages.
"Anything that people can send in the mail — there's always a way it can be secreted in a particular part," he said.
"We've seen things in food products, we've seen it in toys, normal cards, in machine parts, you name it."
Drug packages being sent from Europe, Asia
Commander Sykora said the operation highlighted the importance of national coordination.
"It's all about high frequency and low volume in regards to the drugs that come in [which] inundates our resources," he said.
He said the operation had also provided vital intelligence.
"We can form a real clear picture as to who's responsible for the importation of drugs, but also the distribution of the drugs," he said.
Drug seized Weight
Methylamphetamine 40.6kg
Cannabis 25.3kg
Cocaine 13.5kg
Heroin 2.2kg
MDMA (ecstasy) 855g
Steroids 507g
Source: AFP
The AFP is concerned many of the drugs in the mail are being sent from overseas.
"Whether it's people purchasing it on the dark web, or through other means ... our aim is to actually tackle it at the source," Commander Sykora said.
"We're looking at places such as Europe, particularly Asia and the like, where these drugs are coming from, and we'll be able to take some action there."
Matthew O'Connor from Australian Border Force (ABF) said the operation provided a snapshot of an ongoing problem.
"During financial year 2016/2017 the ABF has made about 75,000 detections of prohibited imports at international mail gateways. That equates to about 200 detections per day," he said.
"The intelligence gathered during the week of action will lead to more targeting opportunities for the ABF to detect and disrupt drugs reaching our streets in the future."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-...-in-national-police-operation-vitreus/8723342
