Key Takeaways:
- The use of international livestock ships to smuggle drugs into Western Australia is just one of the many methods used by criminals.
- Tonnes of drugs are making their way into Australia each year, with large cargo ships often being used to transport them.
- Smuggling methods are constantly evolving, with criminals using everything from "motherships" to mail and corpses to smuggle drugs across borders.
- Western Australia’s vast coastline makes it a prime target for drug smugglers, who believe they can drop drugs in remote locations without detection.
- Authorities are working to bring down organized criminal networks, with a multi-agency task force established in January to tackle the issue.
Introduction to Drug Smuggling
The recent discovery of 525 kilograms of cocaine tied to a floating drum off the coast of Lancelin, Western Australia, has highlighted the creative and often brazen methods used by criminals to smuggle drugs into the country. However, according to Murdoch University criminology associate professor Mark Briskey, this is just one example of the "dizzying variety" of methods used by drug smugglers. As a former Australian Federal Police officer who specialized in transnational crime, Dr. Briskey has seen firsthand the ways in which criminals are constantly evolving their tactics to evade detection.
The Use of "Motherships"
Dr. Briskey notes that large cargo ships, often referred to as "motherships," are frequently used to transport drugs into Australia. With thousands of shipping containers and transport vessels arriving in the country every day, it can be difficult for authorities to identify which ones may be carrying illicit substances. Dr. Briskey teaches his students how to identify potential "motherships," and notes that the method is so common that it has become a key part of his curriculum. The use of "motherships" is particularly appealing to criminals due to the large quantities of drugs that can be transported at one time, making it a lucrative and efficient way to smuggle drugs into the country.
Evolution of Smuggling Methods
The methods used by drug smugglers are constantly evolving, with criminals trying everything from inserting cocaine into engine machinery to mailing small amounts and even using dead bodies to smuggle drugs across borders. Dr. Briskey notes that this cat-and-mouse game between authorities and criminal syndicates is a growing area of focus for both law enforcement and the drug trade itself. As authorities become more sophisticated in their detection methods, criminals are forced to adapt and find new ways to evade detection. This has led to a wide range of creative and often bizarre methods being used to smuggle drugs into the country.
Western Australia’s Vulnerable Coastline
Western Australia’s vast coastline makes it a prime target for drug smugglers, who believe they can drop drugs in remote locations without detection. Dr. Briskey notes that drug importation via "mothership" occurs all over Australia, but is more frequent in Western Australia due to its geography. However, the Australian Border Force (ABF) disagrees, stating that detection is not as unlikely as smugglers may think. In a statement, the ABF said that "criminals should always assume we are nearby, and we are watching." The ABF also notes that Australians are willing to pay some of the highest prices globally for a wide variety of drugs, making it a lucrative market for smugglers.
Law Enforcement Efforts
The ABF and other law enforcement agencies are working to bring down organized criminal networks, with a multi-agency task force established in January to tackle the issue. WA Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Longhorn notes that the Western Australia Joint Organised Crime Task Force uses state and Commonwealth intelligence to bring down organized criminal networks. The task force has already had success, with several high-profile arrests and seizures in recent years. Assistant Commissioner Longhorn warns that anyone considering engaging in drug smuggling activities should reconsider, as the consequences can be severe.
The Role of Blunders in Busts
In some cases, it is the lack of skill and planning on the part of those tasked with collecting the drugs from the water that has led to arrests. Assistant Commissioner Longhorn notes that attempts to collect illicit drugs often fail due to the inexperience of those involved. This was seen in the recent Lancelin bust, where two men were arrested for allegedly trying to retrieve the cocaine after their boat sank. Similarly, in 2023, three men were forced to cling to an esky to survive in wild seas off Albany as they tried to import hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. The men’s lack of experience and poor planning ultimately led to their downfall, and they were arrested and charged with drug offenses.
High-Profile Busts
In 2019, a yacht loaded with $184 million worth of drugs ran aground in the Abrolhos Islands, off the coast of Geraldton. Two men transferred the drugs onto land to be picked up by another vessel, but the second boat also ran aground and a local fisherman alerted the authorities. The men from the yacht were found and arrested while trying to hide on the barren island, and three men on the other boat were also arrested days later in Perth. This bust highlights the significant amounts of money involved in the drug trade, and the lengths to which smugglers will go to avoid detection.
Conclusion
The use of international livestock ships to smuggle drugs into Western Australia is just one example of the creative and often brazen methods used by criminals to evade detection. As authorities become more sophisticated in their detection methods, criminals are forced to adapt and find new ways to smuggle drugs into the country. With tonnes of drugs making their way into Australia each year, it is a complex and ongoing challenge for law enforcement agencies to stay one step ahead of the smugglers. However, with the help of multi-agency task forces and intelligence-led policing, authorities are working to bring down organized criminal networks and disrupt the flow of illicit substances into the country.
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