Bikies infiltrate borders
A MEMBER of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang has been busted after setting up a relative to act as a “door” to open the way for the trafficking of illegal drugs through strategic ports and on to Australian streets.
The bikie allegedly used the family member to establish a business and gain a licence to operate a legitimate Customs clearing house depot - considered “trusted traders” or “trusted insiders” in the border supply chain. But it was exposed as a front for his drug smuggling operations.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers attached to Operation Jardena smashed the racket and now have dozens more investigations underway into bikies and associates suspected of being trusted insiders for international drug smuggling syndicates.
They are suspected of working in a string of jobs including as airport baggage handlers and dockside workers at the nation’s biggest ports.
A Bulletin investigation can reveal 14 people have been arrested in a year for abusing their roles as “trusted insiders” or acting as “doors” for international drug trafficking operations.
And more than 500 people and business entities have been placed on a suspect control register by the ABF and are being monitored. Of those 100 are believed to have direct links to outlaw motorcycle gangs including the Rebels, Comanchero and Hell’s Angels.
ABF Commissioner Michael Outram said there is no organisation not susceptible to trusted insiders – including the Australian Border Force.
“My officers are susceptible as well,” Mr Outram said.
ABF Assistant Commissioner Phil Brezzo said sophisticated crime groups are trying everything possible to get their drugs or illegal cargo through customs.
“These are groups with long arms and are not necessarily Australian residents or citizens,” Mr Brezzo said.
“A large part of their set up is designed to accommodate that crossing of borders.”
Mr Brezzo warned there is ongoing active recruitment for trusted insiders often at – or during – innocent activities such as at the pub or footy games, and even kids’ parties.
“In some instances people are being targeted and groomed. In other instances they are fully conscious of what they are doing,” he said.
Mr Brezzo said the ABF has stepped up monitoring trusted insiders who may be able to give physical access to cargo shipments hidden in containers, in aircraft cargo and on the outside of ships.
“If you are going to take something out of the supply chain before it is customs cleared then it has to be an insider,” he said.
ABF Commissioner Mr Outram said valuable information gleaned from the ANOM sting last year has also given Border Force an edge on criminal activity and they are working closely with police to bring down the organised crime groups.
He said Operation Jardena (which has about 130 officers attached to it) is like “mission control” overseeing the big picture across the country.
He also said there is a global threat that needs to be addressed with more than 40 ports around the world, where authorities hold concerns they may have been infiltrated by criminal elements.