Mr EDE - 1994-09-01
Mr Speaker, yesterday all Territorians were shocked to learn that Australia's biggest by far heroin haul was found either floating in or on the bottom of Darwin Harbour last month. I would like to make it perfectly clear that I am aware that there are charges pending over the matter and I am not seeking any information on the nature of the case. Given that we have heard this week how short-staffed and underfunded our police force is, can the minister assure Territorians that our drug enforcement officers have adequate funding and resources to continue their part in the Combined Drug Enforcement Unit to prevent these drugs from coming into the Territory.
ANSWER
The short answer is an unqualified yes. The Northern Territory's Combined Drug Enforcement Unit is unique throughout Australia. It involves officers from all areas of law enforcement, both federal and state - Territory police, federal police, customs officers and criminal intelligence people. It is an excellent example of all facets of law enforcement working cooperatively.
To indicate how successful the unit is, this particular operation, which has been under way for some months, has resulted in the largest ever apprehension of imported heroin in this country's history. It is sobering to realise that such quantities of drugs are being imported into this country by totally unscrupulous people. Certainly, it is very pleasing to note that the work of the Northern Territory Police Force and the Combined Drug Enforcement Unit is of an extremely high level. This level of seizure probably will make many of these drug barons think twice about utilising the Territory as a conduit to south-eastern Australia.
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ANSWER
The short answer is an unqualified yes. The Northern Territory's Combined Drug Enforcement Unit is unique throughout Australia. It involves officers from all areas of law enforcement, both federal and state - Territory police, federal police, customs officers and criminal intelligence people. It is an excellent example of all facets of law enforcement working cooperatively.
To indicate how successful the unit is, this particular operation, which has been under way for some months, has resulted in the largest ever apprehension of imported heroin in this country's history. It is sobering to realise that such quantities of drugs are being imported into this country by totally unscrupulous people. Certainly, it is very pleasing to note that the work of the Northern Territory Police Force and the Combined Drug Enforcement Unit is of an extremely high level. This level of seizure probably will make many of these drug barons think twice about utilising the Territory as a conduit to south-eastern Australia.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016