Criminal families linked to docks

CRIME families linked to Italian mafia and organised crime groups “were embedded” on Melbourne’s docks, a university research investigator has revealed.

Corruption was a scar at the wharves, with crooked dock workers “knowing the system” better than their bosses so they could import illegal drugs, tobacco and firearms.

“Organised crime is still embedded in the port, through families and friends of dockworkers and port employees; they still manipulate things (including Maritime Security Identification Cards and access),” the research investigator said.

“Corruption in the family environment of dockworkers and employees has never been really targeted or taken away; some still influence the port, who they work with, what shifts they work, with what cruise they work ... the large numbers of companies can’t do anything about it.

“Generation after generation, the ‘wharfies’ know the system at times better than the businessmen do.”

The claims were detailed in research from University of Essex lecturer Anna Sergi, an expert on the mafia who has travelled across the world investigating ports.

The research considers police and court action at ports in Genoa, Italy, Liverpool, UK, Montreal, Canada, New York and Melbourne.

Dr Sergi said Victoria’s Trident Task Force had been actively targeting corruption on the docks.

It comes as two men were due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court after being charged by Trident following a 12-month investigation into activities on Melbourne’s docks.

The men were facing weapons, trafficking and drugs charges.

News Corp Australia derstands the pair was linked to the mafia. unnot

ORGANISED CRIME IS STILL EMBEDDED IN THE PORT, THROUGH FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF DOCKWORKERS

Corruption at Melbourne’s docks has changed, with Italian crime groups expanding.

Now the crime has spread into other “ethnic groups”, including Lebanese and Chinese gangs.

Most of the drug money made from illegal trafficking was kept in Australia and funnelled into other legitimate business through professional brokers.

Drugs had been found hidden in printers, foot spas, coffee beans and stereo speakers, with container shipment the most popular smuggling technique.

However, private were common. yachts