Pubdate: Sun, 20 May 2001
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/71
Author: Peter Clack

FIGHTING NARCOTICS IN ASIA

AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty has spoken out frankly for the first time 
since his appointment in April about the threat to Australia from organised 
Asian crime syndicates.

Mr Keelty said the AFP was tackling the syndicates on their own turf before 
the drugs got into the country. Agents were working in isolated locations 
and putting their lives at risk in poor and remote conditions.

"They are really at the front line," he said. "Asia is flooded with 
methamphetamines and if we don't have a relationship with authorities [in 
Asia] we are not going to be able to get on top of shipments in these 
countries."

The AFP aimed to cocoon Australia from the drug trade.

Drug problems to Australia's north were similar to Australia's but on "a 
much larger scale".

Mr Keelty said the syndicates were involved in drug trafficking, money 
laundering and people smuggling.

Recent busts by Thai police had led to seizures of up to 11 million 
ecstasy-type tablets and two tonnes of drugs in two weeks.

The AFP feared traffickers were stockpiling drugs in South Pacific 
countries for filtering into Australia in 1kg or 2kg lots.

The AFP has established its first outpost in Hanoi and will have its first 
agent in Phnom Penh by July 1. It is among the first Western countries to 
base agents in countries like Burma, China and Thailand.

But efforts to provide farmers in Burma with alternative crops to opium 
poppies backfired, and led to caffeine becoming a major component (66 per 
cent) in locally manufactured methamphetamines.

The AFP had worked hard to develop closer ties with Indonesian authorities 
to stem the flow of boat people and drugs.

"If you don't have a relationship with them, you end up with a flood of 
narcotics," Mr Keelty said.

"At least we are trying to engage in some sort of cooperation. It is a way 
of getting credibility in the region and to get access to the sort of 
cooperation to make a difference back here. We are stopping this stuff 
coming in."

The AFP faces competition from the United States, Canada and Britain, whose 
agencies also seek ties with Asian police to deal with their own drug 
problems. Asian police had to deal with their own issues of drugs, child 
prostitution and criminal operations, often led by white Caucasian men.

However, he stopped short of calling it a war on drugs. "Drugs affects mums 
and dads and kids in the home. It is too real for that."
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