Border Force tighten screws at Port of Townsville after yacht drug bust
The Australian Border Force is clamping down after a yacht carrying almost 250kg of cocaine was seized in Townsville earlier this year. Here’s how they’re doing it.
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Hundreds of kilos of cocaine on a yacht coming into Townsville has sparked a Border Force crackdown at Port of Townsville.
Australian Border Force spent last week tightening access procedures and CCTV at the port.
The activity was part of a wider operation aimed at international supply chains.
In July two men were charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and dealing in the proceeds of a crime worth more than $100,000.
Police alleged the men travelled to Townsville from Canberra in April to recover 247kg of cocaine hidden in the yacht’s hull after it had sailed in from Vanuatu.
Border Force Inspector Neil Singh said “this highlights the very real risk of criminal activity at all international border crossings – and not just at major metropolitan locations”.
“In order to protect the Queensland community from the impacts of criminal activity in our regional ports, it’s critical that we crush the ability for criminals to operate at the border,” Mr Singh said.
During the week in Townsville, Border Force staff focused on ensuring proper process for site access was followed and worked on maintaining the integrity of international cargo in the port and airport vicinity, to push back against potential criminal infiltration.
“We often speak of the concept of ‘trusted insiders’ being taken advantage of by criminal groups. Those who work in the supply chain have unique access and privileged positions, and nefarious groups will do what they can to corrupt them.
“We must not, and will not, allow that,” Mr Singh said.
The Port of Townsville was clearly committed to continual improvement, the Inspector said.
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Originally published as Border Force tighten screws at Port of Townsville after yacht drug bust
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