Australian Federal Police

🛷 Day 8 of 24 in our #AFPAdventcalendar: The AFP’s 34th international post reaches a new milestone.   The AFP is celebrating its partnership and collaboration with French authorities, marking the first anniversary of the opening of its Paris Post, which is the AFP’s fourth post in Europe.   The Post officially opened in November 2023 to enhance bilateral engagement with France, with a particular focus on supporting our Pacific partners through France’s external territories including New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Fortuna and Wallis.   Did you know the AFP has more than 200 personnel located in 34 countries as part of its international network? AFP members posted offshore work in partnership with foreign law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, prevent and disrupt crime at its source.

🤶 Day 7 of 24 in our #AFPAdventcalendar: responsible choices keep the holiday cheer flowing. The AFP is reminding passengers to consume alcohol responsibly at airports after charging a man with alleged disorderly behaviour while intoxicated on a plane at Perth Airport earlier this week. When AFP officers boarded the plane and spoke to the man, he refused to leave his seat and told officers they would “have to carry him". AFP officers carried the man off the plane before placing him in a wheelchair to transport him through the terminal.   The man appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour in a public place. He was fined $400. Just a reminder that as we head into the busy festive season, AFP officers will continue to work with the airline industry to target anyone who misbehaves on flights and put them before the courts where appropriate.

Six people have been sentenced to a combined 43 years’ jail for their part in a $10 million tax fraud and money laundering operation.  This follows a coordinated investigation which began in 2018, of a serious organised criminal syndicate allegedly using labour hire and payroll companies associated with the building and construction industry. As part of the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce, the AFP, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) targeted the syndicate, which siphoned off money from companies it controlled by failing to pay tax owed to the ATO. The money was allegedly moved into bank accounts controlled by syndicate members and their associates. The AFP is dedicated to targeting offenders who deliberately set out to exploit and defraud the financial system and bring them to justice.

Youth radicalisation is a concerning, escalating and pressing challenge for the AFP and its Five-Eyes security and law enforcement partner agencies. The AFP alongside its Joint Counter Terrorism Teams (JCTT) has investigated and conducted operational activity against 35 individuals aged 17 years or younger, with the youngest aged 12 years old, since the start of 2020. A priority for the AFP is to limit the accessibility of violent extremist material and promote education and awareness for those in protective roles, including parents, educators and health care providers, to maximise prevention and early intervention options. The jointly authored analysis titled “Young people and violent extremism: a call for collective action” identifies common issues and trends contributing to youth radicalisation and includes case studies from all five countries. You can view the paper on the ASIO website: https://lnkd.in/gqkDJgg7

⛄ Day 6 of 24 in our #AFPAdventcalendar: With tens of thousands of airline passengers expected to travel through AFP-led airports in the coming weeks, here’s some easy tips to help travellers avoid drama and stay safe while travelling this holiday season: ·        If available, save time by checking in online or via an airline’s app; ·        When possible, check the traffic conditions to the airport to allow time to arrive and check in your luggage; ·        Consider pre-booking if you are parking at an airport car park, or travelling to the airport by public transport, ride share or taxi; ·        Be aware of weight restrictions of check-in luggage and other potential restrictions, such as lithium batteries and other dangerous goods; ·        Be patient and follow directions when you are going through security screening; ·        If you are travelling with children, consider packing extra food or activities to entertain them as the busy travel period could result in longer time. This year, the AFP has responded to more than 400 incidents involving intoxicated individuals at major airports or on an aircraft, and since January 2024, the AFP has responded to an average of 57 incidents a day. This year 419 people have been charged with 574 offences, including drug-related offences, acts of violence and theft. If you see or hear something unusual while travelling through Australia's major airports, call Airport Watch on 131 237.

AFP members recently attended the annual Perth Special Children’s Christmas Party, which provides a day of fun, activities and presents for children who may be ill, have impairments or are living in underprivileged circumstances. Members from the Community Liaison Team, Forensics, Diplomatic Protection Unit, Canine and SHIELD came along on the day, and prepared more than 1500 AFP ‘showbags’ beforehand for the children, which included goodies like activity books, pencils, stickers, hacky sacks, cardboard police cars and tape measures. Children were shown how to get their fingerprints taken, the process of ‘dusting‘ by Forensics members and also had the chance to meet AFP canine Glyn!

🐾 Meet Bondi, one of the AFP’s clever drug detection canines. 🐾 During a recent canine security patrol of checked luggage at Melbourne Airport, Bondi signalled to his handlers his suspicion of illicit drugs allegedly concealed inside a suitcase. AFP members located the suitcase’s owner, a Victorian man, 36, before he departed on board a flight. While examining the man’s belongings, AFP officers allegedly found and seized more than 12kg of methamphetamine worth about $11.1 million, 2kg of cocaine worth about $650,000, 1.5kg of MDMA worth about $82,000 and a number of pink pills which will be subject to further forensic testing. The man was arrested and charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Great work Bondi!

🦌 Day 5 of 24 in our #AFPAdventcalendar: AFP Legacy has continued to support the families of AFP members who lost their lives or suffered hardship while serving the community throughout 2024. A powerful example of the impact of AFP Legacy has been shared by Canberra woman Carla Babic who experienced first-hand, the support extended to those in need. After the death of her husband, Mato Babic, AFP member Carla and their three sons were left grappling with grief and practical realities of life without their husband, and father. AFP Legacy recommended a grief counsellor who helped the family process their grief, find ways to cope with their loss and begin to heal. AFP Legacy also helped with school fees, sports registrations and cleaning services. Carla Babic said the emotional support and guidance provided by AFP Legacy has been life-changing for her family.

The AFP has joined its Pacific police partners at the 2024 Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) Capacity Development Forum in Vanuatu to address current and emerging criminal threats in the region. The week-long event, saw Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) Team Leaders, from 21 member countries, engage in talks, exchange experiences, and explore new ways to collaborate for greater impact. TCUs are responsible for identifying and targeting organised crime impacting local communities. The AFP has regional advisors in supporting roles in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The AFP is a proud founding member of the PTCN and we remain dedicated to supporting its vision and goals to ensure safety and security in the Pacific.

🔔 Day 4 of 24 in our #AFPAdventcalendar: Senior police officers from the AFP and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNG) have monitored the destruction of 500kg of cocaine, worth $800 million. Five men in Australia and four men in PNG were charged after a light plane believed to be carrying the cocaine into Australia crashed north of Port Moresby in 2020. Five days later, the RPNG found the cocaine. The drugs, which were sent to the AFP for forensic testing and storage in Australia, were incinerated at a secure facility in Queensland last week. The Australian men accused of being involved in the alleged failed import attempt are yet to face trial. The four men charged in PNG have been convicted and sentenced to between 18 and 19 years’ imprisonment.