Feature

Fifteen years of change -Flexibility the key to AFP success

The Aus.trailiain Federal Police headquarters building in Canberra.

Introduction by Terry Browne

IN the 15 years of its existence, the AFP has created an enviable inves­tigative record and, under the lead­ership of four commissioners, has

maintained the flexibility needed to meet the changing needs of law enforcement in Australia and interna­tionally.

Change is the key word when it comes to the development of the AFP; operationally and organisationally. The nature of crime changes continu­ally and the AFP has had to develop skills to react to that change.

The Commonwealth Police, the ACT Police and the Federal Narcotics Bureau came together late in 1979 to form the Australian Federal Police. They were all law enforcement agen­cies, but they had little common ground. Combining their complemen­tary skills, they were expected to form the basis of the Commonwealth’s pri­mary law enforcement agency.

At that time a vision for an integrat­ed three-tiered federal investigation body existed, but the work in realising that vision still lay ahead.

In the AFP’s first Annual Report of 1980, Commissioner Sir Colin Woods spoke of the encouraging progress the AFP had made in its first few months towards becoming recognised interna­tionally as a first class police force.

Progressively, Commissioners Ronald Grey and Peter McAulay introduced reforms that were aimed at realising that vision.

In reporting to the Justice Minister in the 1993-94 Annual Report, the current Commissioner, Mick Palmer was able to say:

The AFP’s multi-faceted role requires it to know the criminal envi­ronment at the local, national, and international levels.

In the ACT, the AFP is in close con­

tact withi the community it serves which i.s iinbegral to an effective com­munity poilicing role.

In its national role, the AFP addressers th<e multi-jurisdictional nature ojf criminal activities and works c loaseily with other national law enforcememr a gencies and state police services:.

Interraattiomally, the AFP provides Australia w'ith its law enforcement links arad ena bles cooperation at a global l evjel to address the increas­ing multti-t national face of crime.

The succc:ess of the AFP can be taken fojr ^granted today, but in 1979 as the fledgliing AFP looked towards the future, t:he^re was a wide gap between the dreaim and the reality.

The AF7P”s first decade coincided with a g;recat deal of social and institu­tional chiantge. In that time, there were a variety of commissions of inquiry that dealt witth i issmes that affected the opera­tions of all police services in Australia.

The F'rejedom of Information Act was partt oaf a package of administra­tive law in.inovations which emerged in

that period and had to be incorporated into the daily business of all govern­ment agencies.

The 1980s saw the financial sector come under closer public and govern­ment scrutiny which fuelled growing public cynicism in the integrity of established authority. Now, almost five years into the following decade, some of the entrepreneurial excesses of the 1980s still have ongoing legal and social ramifications.

Technology which is now an indis­pensable tool in police work was rela­tively inaccessible to the average police officer in 1979, but since then there has been an explosion in the variety of technology available for all aspects of police work. Laptop com­puters and electronic communication undreamed of when the AFP came into operation are now not only the accepted working tools of the police investigator, but have become tools of trade for criminals as well.

The story of the first 15 years of the AFP is told in the words of the senior officers who have coordinated the fol­lowing reports.

Page 2 Platypus 45 - December 1994

Feature

NationalOperations

In the past 15 years, the AFP’s approach to investigations has seen significant changes made to the structure of the organisation lead­ing to the present Investigations Department. During its first five years, much of the AFP’s effort in major investigations was the responsibility of several as yet sepa­rate areas.

The Australian Crime Intelligence Centre was renamed the Central Crime Intelligence Centre following the amalgamation with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. At that time, the responsibility for drug operations and fraud and general crime lay with the newly formed Criminal Investigation Division (CID) which, in 1982 became the National Criminal Investigations Branch (NCIB) respon­sible for major national investigations of a serious and protracted nature. This branch formed the nucleus of what is now the Headquarters Fraud and General Crime Division.

The AFP inherited its first overseas post from the Commonwealth Police in 1979. That first post was an attach­ment to the London Metropolitan Police. The addition of three South East Asian posts; Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta, followed the amalgamation with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. This resulted in the formation of the Overseas Liaison Branch attached to the Drug Operations Division under the com­mand of (then) Chief Superintendent Brian Bates.

The first AFP initiated liaison post was established in Los Angeles in 1981 by (then) Superintendent Peter Lamb. This was enhanced by the establishment of the Washington post by (then) Superintendent Alan Mills, in 1984. The post in London was increased to two positions by the appointment of (then) Superintendent Adrien Whiddett.

The mid to late 19880s s.aw a shift towards the formaticon of a single department responsible? for the coordi­nation of the AFP’s nattionall investiga­tive responsibilities. Tlhe general relo­cation from the Bartorn offices to the new headquarters buiildin.g in 1987 coincided with the forrmatiom of sever­al new divisions umder the Investigations Dept-artmient. The National Intelligence IDivis;ion, Fraud and General Crimne Division, International Divisiom andl the Drug Operations Division alll were co-locat­ed and formed the basiis of the AFP’s national invest'gative e?ffort..

Today the Investigations Department consists 03f this Strategic Intelligence Division, Fraud and General Crime Diviisiom, and the International Divisiom. Intternational Division currently suppports 15 liaison posts in 13 countries ;and ;a full-time Canberra based officer for the South Pacific. Fraud and General Crime Division conducts inve?stigaitions relat­ing to special ref(eremces from Government as well as matters of fraud and general crimie best suited to headquarters based teaams. The emer­gence of the strategic ailliancce with the National Crime Amthcority has strengthened the meed for Investigations Department coordina­tion particularly in tide imtelligence area. Clearly a continuation! of change is the standard for all aareas within the AFP as the organisation dievelops to meet the challenges of ithe fiuture.

a

NorthernRegioni

Northern Region piroviddes federal policing throughouit thte state of Queensland and tlhe INorthern Territory.

The region is responsible? for a vast area of Australia whiich iimcludes a diverse range of environments includ­ing large cities, tourist areass, rural and mining communities, iremoate outback settlements and thousands of kilome­tres of sparsely populatced ccoaistline.

Northern Region’s siuccesss depends

Drug concealments are often elaborate. In 1985 ornamental elephants were used in an attempt to import heroin. substantially on the mutual support of the various other law enforcement agencies with which it has developed close working relationships.

The policing of remote localities, such as the Torres Strait, poses special difficulties to all agencies involved in the performance of their functions to protect Australia, whether it be for health and quarantine purposes or to interdict the importation of illicit sub­stances.

Northern Region has steadily expanded its resources since the inception of the AFP. As the criminal environment changed, resources were deployed to meet emerging threats. As the Gold Coast underwent exceptional levels of growth from international and local tourism and investment, so too regional resources were deployed to deal with increased federal criminal activity. Similarly, as activity increased in Far North Queensland, particularly through the growth in activity through Caims Airport, addi­tional resources were deployed to the North Queensland Branch.

The Northern Territory presents some different aspects of federal law enforcement with its remoteness and cultural challenges. For the past eight years the AFP and the Northern Territory Police have maintained a successful Combined Drug Enforcement Unit where joint resources are used to enforce Territory and Commonwealth drug laws.

As the AFP’s role has focussed increasingly on organised crime, Northern Region has developed its personnel, their skills, and technology to meet the many challenges con-

Platypus 45 - December 1994 Page 3

Feature

Northern Region was substantially involved in National Operation Caribou (1994) which resulted in the seizure of 15 tonnes of cannabis - 5 tonnes at Hervey Bay and 10 tonnes in the South Pacific. Photo by Karleila Hucknall, Fraser Coast Chronicle.

fronting law enforcement.

The region has undertaken many major drug operations over extended periods requiring close cooperation between local and overseas law enforcement agencies. The following is indicative of operations undertaken:Operation Sly (1985) - a major heroin

importer who used elaborate orna­mental elephants to conceal the importations. The principal importer is still in jail.

Operation Tableau (1987) - a US based international drug syndicate which had imported tonnes of cannabis to the east coast and which was planning further importations into Queensland. More than 20 peo­ple were convicted, some of whom were imprisoned for 25 years - the maximum penalty. Considerable assets and property were seized.

Operation Recorder (1989)- 13kg of heroin was seized from a container ship in Mackay and two people jailed.

Operation Sachet (1992) - one and a half tonnes of cannabis recovered by the importers from a yacht, the Spring Queen, which was scuttled in the outer reef about 200 nautical miles off Mackay. The principals and the associates were all convict­ed. Inquiries are still continuing to locate the supposedly ‘shipwrecked’ crew who left Australia before the main arrests.

Operation Smart (1992) - a syndicate centred in Queensland and NSW who were attempting to import tonnes of cannabis into northern NSW. Major principals were arrest­ed and convicted - apart from two who fled while on bail.

Operation Calgary (1994) - 123kg of heroin was recovered from Darwin Harbour allegedly having been thrown from a Thai fishing vessel. The eight crew members have been committed foir trial.

Operation Extra (1994) - 1.4 tonnes of cannabis was seized north of Mackay on ro'ute south by truck from Cairns.

Northern Region was substantially involved in National Operation Caribou (1994) which resulted in the seizure of 15 tonnes of cannabis - 5 tonnes at He;rvey Bay and 10 tonnes in the South Pacific, a number of those arrested are yet to stand trial.

Fraud investigations have included substantial systematic conspiracies to defraud taxation and social security systems. Large sums of money have been obtained by offenders - two

recent operations involved frauds esti­mated at more than $5 million each. Multiple identities are often employed by offenders for fraud purposes - one woman developed more than 125 false identities to claim benefits.

Other investigations have included:A leading Brisbane neurosurgeon who

was jailed for health fund fraud.The regional head of a government

department was jailed for fraud.A senior Social Security investigator

in Toowoomba was jailed after obtaining more than $600,000 using false identities.

A middle ranking Customs officer was jailed for fraud on the diesel rebate scheme.

The principal organiser of a complex international telephone fraud was jailed.

A series of pilot licence frauds were identified and a number of people convicted.

A person was convicted of 168 com­puter hacking offences relating to unauthorised access to computer sites in Australia and overseas.

Prosecutions under environmental leg­islation protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

Numerous actions were undertaken to recover criminal assets using both the Customs Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act. Seizures have included cash, houses, vehicles, antiques and collectables.

Northern Region looks forward to the future where it will be further strengthening its alliances with the NCA and other law enforcement agen­cies to ensure the Commonwealth’s policing interests are well served.

The seized documents from a 1992 tax evasion inquiry in Northern Region indicate the complexity of such investigations.

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Feature

Eastern RegionWith Sydney being Australia’s

biggest city and New South Wales its most populous state, Eastern Region has had a major role in fed­eral policing throughout the 15 year history of the AFP.

Eastern Region has has a large vol­ume and range of activities because Sydney has Australia’s major interna­tional airport; NSW has the busiest seaports; Sydney’s emergence as one of the major banking and financial capitals of South East Asia, and the cities diverse cultural mix.

These factors up to a dynamic envi­ronment in which criminals can oper­ate. Eastern Region has achieved a great deal of success through the development and deployment of resources to meet this challenge.

In 1979, the region’s headquarters took up six floors of one of the TNT towers in Redfern, but continuous expansion throughout the 1980s saw it eventually occupy all eleven floors of the building. Additional to that were three floors of a building in Sydney’s central business district for the Fraud and General Crime Division and the housing of the then Organised Crime Unit nearby. A separate Joint Task

Operation Soy (1993) was a long running and complex international investigation which resulted in the discovery of 50kg of heroin concealed in a freezer and waiter heater.

In conjunction to this has been the region’s initiatives to market its ser­vices to client agencies through train­ing and advisory services as well as arranging meetings with a number of representative industry bodies. Eastern Region has also seen an increasing number of visits from overseas law enforcement agencies and delegations who have been interested in its inves­tigational practices.

Federal Police and part < of a seizure of 3.2 tonnes of cannabis heads seized near Sydney in June of 1988.

Force with the NSW Police also oper­ated very successfully from shared premises for a number of years.

While resources weire stretched and the facilities crammied, especially towards the end of tlhat decade, the region continued to acchieve excellent results. However, the? completion of the purpose-built hteadquarters in November 1990 allowed the region to consolidate and makes the most effi­cient use of its resoiurces.. The ten- storey building has modern office accommodation, desigrnated communi­cation, forensic and plnysical evidence installations, a large iintemal car park and excellent staff faciilities.

The state-of-the-art facilities intro­

duced in Eastern Region over the past four years include an extensive infor­mation technology installation, the ASTRO communications system, modern photographic, fingerprint and drug laboratory facilities, and a high- security drug vault.

If the infrastructure to fight crime has improved in Eastern Region, so have crime-fighting methods.

Along with the rest of the AFP, this region’s members are individually and collectively more accountable for their actions than ever before.

In line with the AFP’s Corporate Vision of providing investigation man­agement leadership and training, Eastern Region has markedly increased its interaction with other related agencies such as the NCA, Austrac, the ASC, and the NSW Crime Commission. In addition, the region of late has either been conven­ing seminars or providing expert speakers to seminars on a range of matters including organised crime, family law, proceeds of crime, and drugs.

Platypus 45 - December 1994 Page 5

Feature

The investigation of counterfeit Australian and foreign currencies is the concern of all AFP regions.

Operationally, the changing nature of crime has seen Eastern Region recently establish a Computer Crime Unit, which already has had a number of successful convictions. The rela­tively new Criminal Assets Investigations Unit similarly has been very successful. It is responsible for the identification, freezing, and seizure of the bulk of proceeds of crime assets currently involving the AFP.

In response to the growing criminal activity throughout the state, Eastern Region has had an office at Newcastle for some time and recently opened a temporary office at Coffs Harbour

Perhaps Operation Caribou serves as the most recent example of the abil­ity of the AFP, and of Eastern Region in particular, to successfully combat a large, well resouced and highly organ­ised criminal enterprise. Managed from Eastern Region, this national operation, with its significant interna­tional dimension, demonstrated the current sophistication of organised crime and the law enforcement response that is required to challenge it.

It is one of a number of significant drug investigations undertaken in Eastern region over the years, other recent examples include:Operation Blast (1992) -involving the

seizure of 23kg of heroin, the largest street seizure of the drug in Australia.

Operation Flute (1992) -involving the importation of 4 tonnes of cannabis resin worth $50 million inside a roller from Tonga.

Operation Dogvwood (1993) -involving several importation of 16kg of hero­in over a four year period.

Operation Waned (1994) -involving the seizure of 2',70kg of cocaine in Operations Wizard, Magic and Potion in the preceding months.

In the fraud area, the region has a number of significant tax and health insurance invtestigations currently under way involving multi million dollar alleged frauds, Some of the more recently completed investiga­tions include:Operation Isobar (1993) -involving

the evasion off more than $4 million in customs dmty through the use of forged forms amd stamps.

The (1993) $600,000 Social Security fraud by a wioman who had used a number of false identities over sever­al years.

Operation Civile (1993) in which 59 people have s<o far been arrested in a false passport racket.

A 1993 $1 million fraud by a Commonwealith Bank employee.

A Social Security Department employee who defrauded his depart­ment of $7,000,000 over a nine year period.

Eastern Region has in the past suc­cessfully responded to the changing criminal environment and is confident it will continiue to meet the law enforcement expectations of the Federal Government.______________In the ACT, the AFP offers traditional community policiing services.

a

ACT RegionThe few minutes spent by ACT

police officers being sworn into the AFP on October 19, 1979 began a new era in policing in the ACT, an era that would see the face of community policing transformed to meet the ever expanding technological world.

In examining the first 15 years of the Australian Federal Police in the ACT it is clear that the essential ingre­dients of policing have remained con­stant, but the influence of technology has been continually changing.

Technical advancements have become part of every element of law enforcement. The Kingswood patrol car has given way to a vehicle fitted with a computer controlled engine management system, ABS, airbag and sometimes a mobile phone. Speed checks have become high-tech with laser and radar equipment. Hand held electronic devices are now used to test drivers for alcohol consumption and a separate device will soon issue traffic infringement notices.

Page 6 Platypus 45 - December 1994

FeatureBreath analysis equipment now

gives the sample provider a printed docket with all details of the test. Interviews are taped on both video and audio tapes to reflect the profes­sionalism of the AFP.

Maps crowded with coloured pins have been replaced by computer pro­grams that analyse crime trends and provide investigators with a list of likely suspects. Satellite fleet manage­ment is being evaluated to improve the safety of members and enhance response times for urgent incidents.

Gone are the days of pushing but­tons and turning bulky knobs in Police Communications Branch. Now the smooth lines of a computer touch screen give the radio operator access to patrols.

The introduction of the Telephone Typewriter has also enabled people who are deaf or have impaired hearing to have direct and easy access to police in the case of emergencies or general inquiries.

It is interesting to look back and examine the past expectations of new technology. Certainly technical knowledge has come a long way since ACT Region took its first step into the age of computerisation with two com­puters in Legal Branch. The original system cost $50,000 and was intro­duced to remove delays in issuing summonses. The efficiency of the new computers would in theory reduce summons processing time by up to six months. The predicted time savings would allow police to spend more time on the beat; at least that was the theory.

Today the expectations of technology may be more realistic, but its benefits are still felt in every area of policing. Unfortunately police are not the only ones adopting technology.

Recent investigations have shown that criminals have adapted quickly to a technologically changing world. Cellular telephones and electronic organisers are not just fashion state­ments but tools of the trade for upwardly mobile criminals.

While other AFP regions operate predominantly in a plain clothes investigative capacity, ACT Region provides traditional community polic­ing services as well.

Based strongly in the community policing traditions of the ACT Police, the AFP’s ACT Regiion through con­stant consultation witbh the ACT com­munity has continued l to pioneer com­munity policing iniitiatives which demonstrate a philoscophy of working with the community on public order and crime prevention issues.

ACT Region waas a leader in Australia in prcomoting the Neighbourhood Wattch scheme and has continued in thatt vein to current times where it promotes Diversionary Coniferencing, the Country Town Poliicing program, the Safety House Schheme, the Safer Civic Program, Opeerations NOAH and Paradox and a wariety of youth related schemes thrcough members’ involvement in tlhe Police and Citizens Youth Club movement.

With burglary, sexuaal assault, armed robbery, murder, doimestic violence, arson, fraud and drujig related crimes being routine investigations in modern Canberra, the days of the peaceful and crime free ‘bush capital’ image have long passed.

Canberra is a mocdern city in all respects and as suc:h puts a rigor­ous burden on the sskills and abili­ties of its police orfficers and on

Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester

occasion places them at distinct personal risk.

No event illustrates that fact more than the murder of ACT Region’s Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester on January 10, 1989.

As a permanent mark of respect, the recently opened ACT Region headquar­ters building was named the Winchester Police Centre, while his memory has been perpetuated in the community by the awarding of a scholarship and sports awards in his name.

With Canberra the seatt of federal government and a focal point for media attention, the city regularly is the vemue for large public demonstrations.

Platypus 45 - December 1994 Page 7

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SouthernRegion

Drug importers care continually trying new methods of avoiding detection. These sandals contained cocainte concealed between the sole and the upper when detected in Melbourne’s parcel post in July 1991.

Fifteen years has brought about a great deal of change in Southern Region including seven different Officers-in-Charge and a move into new premises which resulted in the consolidation of the region’s activi­ties, for the most part, under the one roof.

At the time of the AFP’s formation, the region was headquartered in barely satisfactory premises at Hamilton House, Jolimont, located on the boundary of the central business dis­trict, Because of the restricted amount of space, several branches and other specific operations were ‘out-posted’ a few kilometres away in South Melbourne and Hawthorn. Training activities were located in the basement of the Commonwealth Centre in the central business district.

The move to the new regional head­quarters building, located within easy reach of the law courts and our major law enforcement partners, took place over the Christmas/New Year period of 1987-88.

ships with ot;her Commonwealth departments amd other law enforce­ment agencies, an example of which was the establishment of a formal Joint Task Force (JTF) with the Victoria Police in 1982.

This partne rship lasted 10 years and resulted in a nuimber of very success­ful investigatiioms.

The JTF prowed, through dedicated staff and executive commitment, the two organisations could forge an effective partnership. This was one of the forerunners to the current AFP commitment to the concept of ongo­ing co-operati ve arrangements and strategic alliamcies.

This past experience stands Southern Region in good stead in its

confident approach to the alliance with the NCA in matters of joint inter­est, as recommended in the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Review.

The region is now actively and enthusiastically working towards implementation of the recommenda­tions, particularly those related to the integration of operations, infor­mation systems and corporate and technical support of the two ogani- sations.

Part of the Southern Region charac­ter has been the willingness to accept change and an ability to target new crime trends. A perfect example is the emergence of the Economic Crime Branch. With the specific objective of investigating computer crime, money laundering, counterfeiting and suspi­cious money movement, it reflects an increased interest in white collar crim­inal activity and the appropriate emphasis on enforcing the Government’s legislative initiatives regarding confiscation of criminal assets.

Today, Southern Region operations are different to those of 15 years ago. Accepting the tremendous advances in technology, both for and against law enforcement, there is now a greater concentration of focus on major inves­tigations into serious and organised crime. The region has benefited in this regard by a clearer definition of the AFP role relative to that of the state police.

From the earliest days, Southern Region forged close working relation-

The AFP investigates offences under a range of environmental le gislation. In 1990 an oil slick killed a large number of fairy penguins. The master of t he ve:ssel and its owners were charged and fined for the incident.

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In 1991 Southern Regicon officers charged three men for attempting to import 250kg of hashish from Europe in i a large metal cutting machine.

Away from the investigational front, Southern Region over the years, has developed an increasing awareness that the AFP should be seen as part of the community and has actively pur­sued moves to lift the profile of the organisation.

Members in Southern Region have embraced opportunities to represent the organisation at public displays and have readily accepted invitations to speak to other government depart­ments, service clubs and interested community groups.

Invitations into schools to lecture students have been welcomed, as has the opportunity to talk to young jour­nalists and law students with a view to familiarising them with the role and function of the organisation.

Because of the enthusiasm of key Southern Region members of the AFP National Sports Federation, Southern Region took on the somewhat onerous role of hosting the inaugural AFP Games in September, 1988. It was the forerunner of the annual staging of the AFP games, which for this year, returned to Southern Region for a sec­ond time.

Representative of the work of Southern Region are the following: Operation Windmill (1991) involved

the importation of 250kg of hashish which had been concealed inside the hollow frame of a large metal cutting machine which had been imported to Australia from Europe to the Melbourne waterfront. Three men were charged and sentenced for their pait in the importation.

Operation Mink (1991) - Federal Police arrested and charged a man who had organised the services of a teenage schoolgirl to bring 3.96kg of heroin into Australia. The 44 year old Chinese man Frank Yim Chee Cheung, initially left Australia, but because of his religious convictions and being fearful of punishment in an after life, returned to Australia, made full confessions and was sen­tenced to seven years in prison.

An investigation in 1988 centred on the importation inside a shipping container of about two and a half tonnes of compressed cannabis which was seized by the AFP. AFP members kept the container under surveillance as it was taken from the waterfront and stored in a warehouse in suburban Melbourne for a number of months. Shipping agents then received orders to ship the container to the UK, Shortly after its arrival

there, British Policce took over the investigation andl arrested and charged a number of'people

Operation Aladdin ( 1992) - Several members of an overrseas tour group were intercepted at tthe customs bar­rier on their way thrcough Melbourne and subsequent invesstigations result­ed in four Japanesee and a Malay- Chinese, being chaarged with the importation of 12.9kkg of high grade heroin. This was thie largest single importation of heroirn held in passen­ger luggage in Australia’s history at that time.

Operation Thesis (1992) - In November 1990, a sshipping contain­er filled with cane; furniture con­signed from the Philippines was found by Customs officers to con­ceal 530kg of compressed cannabis. AFP officers maintained surveillance on the container as itt was transported to a storage area. Three suspects were arrested unloadiing the contents. Investigations identtified five addi­tional people who wv^ere charged and successfully proseccuted for being involved in the impo^rtation.

Examples of non drrug related inves­tigations include:An inquiry conducted by the Currency

Squad, between Mlarch 1991 and November 1992 ancd resulted in the seizure of approximately US$5 mil­lion of counterfeitt US$100 bank notes which had beeen printed by an organised crime groiup in Melbourne in early 1991. A tottal of 14 people, including the printeer and principal offenders were arressted in Victoria,

New South Wales and Queensland.Operation Dabble marked the begin­

ning of the AFP’s move into technol­ogy-based crimes. During 1989 and 1990, three offenders (since convict­ed) broke into hundreds of computer networks in the USA. they primarily targeted military systems and during the course of their activities they caused NASA (Virginia) to discon­nect from external communications for 24 hours.

On May 21, 1990 an oil slick was reported off the coast of Victoria in the vicinity of Cape Otway.The envi­ronmental damage extended over 100km of coast and the bodies of about 300 fairy penguins were found. Investigations revealed that the spill had occurred from the Caltex vessel, MT Arthur Phillip, and as a result both the company and the master were charged under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of pollution from Ships) Act. The com­pany was later fined $60,000 and payed $105,000 in restitution. The master was fined $4000.

Operation Waterfall resulted in the arrest of two couriers and a major Melbourne jewellery wholesaler and the seizure of 24kg of 18 carat gold jewellery valued at $2 million in Melbourne in 1989. Inquiries estab­lished that the group had smuggled 280kg of gold jewellery into Australia during 1985-89 avoiding sales tax and customs duty. A major overseas smuggling organisation was identified and its operations severely disrupted.

Platypus 45 - December 1994 Page 9

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Surveillance to be housed under the one roof at Regional Headquarters, the net result of these changes reduced member/staff members numbers to 95.

These changes streamlined investigation of crimes against the Commonwealth. This produced a more efficient and effective workforce in the investigation of ever increasing fraud against the Commonwealth, the investigation of large narcotics importations and distributions, and the monitoring of organised groups and individuals involved in criminal or socially radical activities.

These investigations have been con­ducted locally, nationally and interna­tionally.

This has assisted to enhance liaison with client departments which is reflected in the number of successful joint operations undertaken between the AFP and the following depart­ments: Australian Customs Service, National Crime Authority, South Australia Police, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Social Security, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Australian Securities Commission, and National Parks and Wildlife. Adelaide Museum and other regions. Secondments to and from the above mentioned departments are currently in place.

The following cases are considered to be the highlights from a long list of major achievements by members/staff members of Central RegionMajor investigations into alleged ille­

gal export of fossils - court proceed­ings to commence in early 1995.

The seizure of 3.3 kg of cocaine in 1988, originating Colombia, con­cealed within a hang glider - it was the largest ever cocaine seizure in South Australia at the time.

The seizure in 1993 of 5kg of cocaine from USA concealed in tabletop.

10.9 kg of heroin 1994 largest heroin seizure in South Australia.

A member travelled to Japan on a mutual assistance inquiry in regard to a major tax investigation.

At this time negotiations are cur­rently underway to relocate Regional Headquarters to new premises within the central business district. If these negotiations are successful, the move will enhance Central Region’s effec­tiveness by making the AFP more accessible to client departments.

Central RegionSince the AFP’s formation,

Central Region has undergone a number of name changes which have reflected the changing role of the region.

Originally named SA/NT District, that was later changed to SA Division when the NT side was handed to Northern Region.

At the formation of the AFP there were more than 200 members/staff members serving in Central Region at the following locations: Eastwood (the former Regional Headquarters); Salisbury; Woomera; Port Augusta; Maralinga; Port Adelaide; North Adelaide (Railway Squad); Adelaide Airport; Mile End (Railway Squad), and Family Courts.

Those members/staff members were

deployed ho CIB/Drugs, BCI, Surveilhan ce , lUniform Duties and Administration// Operational Support and performed! the following func­tions: Imvesiti^gation of Fraud and Drugs, Lntellliggeince Gathering and Uniformi Dutiies associated with Airports, R.aillwray Squad, Diplomatic and Comsullar SSquads, Family Court Judges paitnols;, 1 Reserve Bank Escorts, Protecti<oni of Government Establishiments tand many other duties.

During thiss period Regional Headquarters was relocated from Eastwoocd ito itts Current address of 129- 1 30) Greernhill Road, Unley. The complex was; shared with the Departmtemt of' National Parks and Wildlife fc'or a shiort period.

Over tine y<eatrs there have been a number of cfnamges in directions and policies af'fe-.ctting the AFP. These changes, hiawe dramatically altered the functions, aincd cduties within Central Region.

All uniifmrrm (duties except Family Law coiurtts arre mow the responsibility of the Auistirailiaan Protective Service. This iramtedliaitelly reduced the number of out-s;taitkoms ;and caused all opera­tions e>xc:ejpt Portswatch and

A unique case for Central Region has involved investiga.tio?nss ir.ntco tlhe alleged export offos­sils worth more than a million dollars.

Page 10 Platypus 45 - December 1994

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Western RegionChange has swung full circle in

Western Region; policing the north­west of the state has gone from hav­ing three members permanently located in Broome (Coastal Protection Unit), to members flying up weekly to cover the weekend flights, followed by no presence at all, to the present situation of per­manent Resident Agents in Broome, Port Hedland and Geraldton, and a Resident Agent situated in the south -west of the state in Albany.

The latest technology in communi­cations via satellite now means that Resident Agents can ‘go bush’ and never be too far away to ‘phone home’.

Western Region has seen three Officers -in-Charge, namely Frank Pimm (now retired), Harry Dales (now in Cyprus), and Rod Leffers (shortly to join the Commissioner’s team in Canberra).

It was during Harry Dales’ term of office that most major changes took place ie broadbanding, closure of Airport Section, unified workforce etcetera. In Western Region, the Intelligence Section broke away from Drugs and formed its own branch, which has worked well. In 1991, man­agement began planning to relocate to bigger and better premises.

What was good enough for Alan Bond albeit with a few alterations, was to be the new Regional Headquarters.

The region has become very welfare conscious over the years and, in the past three years has made available to its members a confidential counselling and referral service which provides an Employee Assistance Program.

By utilising this service, members have access to counsellors who are registered psychologists, at no cost to the member. It has been found that, by offering this service to members, the

A high level of cooperatitiom het\tween AFP, ACS and Western Australia Police during August 1992 resulted in the inteercceptioon of approximately 3 tonnes of cannabis resin imported to a remote fishing village in a Wester.rn Australia.

number of cases handdked byy Comcare for the region each yeeair has s been con­siderably reduced.

The addition of "Cechnnical and Forensic units to thej rregioon, and the recent acquisition onf a haandwriting expert, has vastly increaassed thhe ability of members to obtain rappitd ancid effective assistance in pursuing ihmvestig gations.

The region has comne: a loong way in developing its investiggattive r methodolo­gy. Fraud inquiries haavre beccome more complex, time consumnirng anind resource intensive. More than evverr befcfore, Branch heads and case manageerrs are e being held accountable for the cosuts invo olved in any major investigation.

There has been a < cconsci;ious move towards collaborativve inve'estigations with other agencies.. "The : past three years has seen jointt eexenrcises with Customs, Tax, Heaallth 1 Insurance Commission, Deepjartnment of Employment Educaticom anad Training, to name but a few. Trhie invivestigation into the tax evasion (off $45-5m by lob­ster fishermen was oome off particular achievement, 55 peoppke we'ere arrested or summonsed, resultiiimg in a a recovery by the Tax Departmeemt thi.iis financial year of $160m, over lamd abibove previ­ous years recoveries.

Our working relati iomshiiiip with the Western Australia Police e and NCA have improved dramaaticcallyly. The AFP presence at the NCM has s increased

from none to four (two sergeants and two constables) this year, and the region is involved in three joint opera­tions with NCA. This has resulted in vastly improved relations and an understanding of the roles of the respective bodies. Similarly, joint operations have been, and are being, undertaken with the Western Australia Police, ranging from fraud through drugs to intelligence. Currently a ‘Special Member’ exchange program exists between the drug operations branches of both organisations.

The emphasis on drug investigations over the years has shifted to one of responding to relatively minor seizures (1kg or 2kg) in the 1980s, to the targeting of national and interna­tional organised narcotic trafficking groups, and seizures of 10kg to 15kg are becoming the norm. Over 60kg of heroin have been seized in two opera­tions alone in 1994. A 48kg seizure in September saw 10 offenders arrested across Australia.

Whereas in 1980, a one tonne ship­ment of cannabis was a rarity, however, in the past few years large shipments have become more common. In 1992 a 3.3 tonne shipment of hashish was intercepted about 600km north of Perth and the following year, a 13.5 tonne shipment of compressed cannabis was landed on the Fremantle wharves. Over 3 tonnes of the shipment was recovered and 10 arrests made.

Platypus 45 - December 1994 Page 11