Media Release: AFP disrupts people smuggling operation
Release Date: Wednesday, June 20 2012, 11:52 AM
A 45-year-old man will appear before the Adelaide Magistrates Court today in relation to his alleged involvement in people smuggling.
The AFP arrested the man yesterday (19 June 2012) at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Inverbrackie detention facility following an AFP People Smuggling Strike Team (PSST) investigation into the man’s activities prior to his arrival in Australia in January 2012. The AFP PSST includes members from DIAC.
The AFP will allege in court that prior to arrival in Australia the man was a key player in a people smuggling syndicate responsible for planning and facilitating the unlawful arrival of numerous vessels bound for Australia.
This arrest brings the total number of alleged people smuggling organisers charged by the AFP in Australia to 15, and is another example of the AFP’s commitment to investigating, dismantling and prosecuting organised people smuggling ventures operating within Australia and offshore.
The man arrested has been charged with offences including:
- One count of organising or facilitating the bringing or coming to Australia or the proposed entry into Australia, a group of 5 persons; and those persons are non-citizens; and had no lawful right to come to Australia (Section 233C of the Migration Act 1958).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years imprisonment and/or a $220,000 fine.
- Four counts of organising the proposed entry into Australia of another person of which that person had no lawful right to come to Australia (Section 233A of the Migration Act 1958).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment and/or a $110,000 fine.
The AFP is a member of the Australian Government’s People Smuggling Taskforce to support a whole-of-government approach to combating people smuggling.
Anyone who has information they believe may be relevant to people smuggling activities is urged to contact the AFP via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, the AFP hotline on 1800 813 784 or the AFP website at afp.gov.au
This information will be fully assessed, with a view to it potentially forming part of future investigations.
The AFP will be making no further comment on this operation due to ongoing investigations in Australia and overseas.
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