Operation Vitreus drugs in the post 200 detections per day

[Frazz]

ABC NEWS Online

17/7/17

 

A national operation targeting drugs sent through the post has led to more than 1,000 seizures around the country.

Operation Vitreus saw each state and territory undertake a two-day operation in late May and early June.

"What was discovered was a disturbing and alarming array of illicit substances and illegally obtained prescription medications," SA Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said.

 

State Seizures Qld 381 Vic. 312 WA 183 NT 89 SA 35 ACT 29 Tas. 23 NSW 21
Source: AFP

 

Overall more than 40 kilograms of methylamphetamine were seized, along with 25kg of cannabis and 13.5kg of cocaine.

Assistant Commissioner Duval said the largest single seizure was an 8kg package of methylamphetamine.

He said about 50 arrests have been made so far around Australia.

 

This operation should serve as warning to those who trade in illicit drugs and seek to use the mail service to conduct their business, and also to those who may be persuaded to receive mail items on behalf of someone else."

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Peter Sykora said drugs were found in all sorts of packages.

"Anything that people can send in the mail — there's always a way it can be secreted in a particular part," he said.

 

Commander Sykora said the operation highlighted the importance of national coordination.

"It's all about high frequency and low volume in regards to the drugs that come in [which] inundates our resources," he said.

He said the operation had also provided vital intelligence.

"We can form a real clear picture as to who's responsible for the importation of drugs, but also the distribution of the drugs," he said.

 

Drug seized Weight Methylamphetamine 40.6kg Cannabis 25.3kg Cocaine 13.5kg Heroin 2.2kg MDMA (ecstasy) 855g Steroids 507g
Source: AFP

 

The AFP is concerned many of the drugs in the mail are being sent from overseas.

"Whether it's people purchasing it on the dark web, or through other means ... our aim is to actually tackle it at the source," Commander Sykora said.

 

"We're looking at places such as Europe, particularly Asia and the like, where these drugs are coming from, and we'll be able to take some action there."

Matthew O'Connor from Australian Border Force (ABF) said the operation provided a snapshot of an ongoing problem.

"During financial year 2016/2017 the ABF has made about 75,000 detections of prohibited imports at international mail gateways. That equates to about 200 detections per day," he said.

"The intelligence gathered during the week of action will lead to more targeting opportunities for the ABF to detect and disrupt drugs reaching our streets in the future."

Edited July 19, 2017 by Frazz

[stinkybrownmist]

So that's where my mail went!

[Indycar]

Yeah, seen this on the news last night. T'was good for a laugh, especially when it was mentioned they couldn't maintain the Operation long term at a National level.

[doctor_nelson]

The AFP is concerned many of the drugs in the mail are being sent from overseas.

 

It's hard to tell what fraction of the finds were made at the border for follow up at delivery and what fraction were domestic interceptions based on random scan/search at post offices. Border Farce controls and inspects incoming mail but things get more complex for domestic mail and the volume makes routine screening impossible AFAIK - but there's no doubt folks are getting busted on domestic orders with shitty stealth. The whole domestic dark net market situation is fluid with the recent crash and burn of Alphabay at the hands of LE - a lot of vendors lost a lot of escrow and many small purchasers lost small amounts of BTC - my local man is experiencing an uptick in business as a result...

Edited July 19, 2017 by doctor_nelson