Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jul 2009
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Page: 1, Front Page
Copyright: 2009 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: John Silvester
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

POLICE WARN ON MELBOURNE HEROIN SMUGGLERS

POLICE have identified more than 100 Melbourne-based drug couriers
smuggling heroin from Vietnam for seven major crime syndicates.

Drug Taskforce head Detective Inspector Doug Fryer yesterday issued a
public warning to the drug suspects that they face certain arrest --
and possibly the death penalty -- if they continue.

"We are putting these people on notice. We know who you are and you
will be checked if you make any further trips," he said.

Syndicate recruiting officers specially trained to identify likely
candidates are selecting the human mules -- often from Melbourne's
western suburbs. The smugglers range from a male aged 22 to a woman in
her mid-60s.

Using a network of loan sharks they target individuals with gambling
and business debts, then try to persuade them to carry the drugs to
repay the loans.

Detectives say heroin couriers are arriving at Melbourne Airport at
least weekly and some have made several trips.

The Federal Government is so concerned that it has run an education
campaign in the Vietnamese community warning people of the risk of
smuggling heroin.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 25
Australians charged with drug smuggling are in Vietnamese jails. All
are of Vietnamese origin. Six are waiting trial, while 19 have been
convicted and sentenced to death, 20 years or life sentences. Eight
are from Victoria.

Since 2003, seven Australians sentenced to death in Vietnam have had
their penalty commuted after pleas for clemency from the Australian
Government.

Police have established that many busy flights from Vietnam to
Melbourne include multiple drug carriers. In February this year police
arrested four couriers on one flight.

Police also believe some have been taught Customs procedures to
minimise chances of being searched.

Inspector Fryer warned that police were exchanging information with
Vietnamese authorities. He said key members of the syndicates were
risking the death penalty if they were arrested before they returned
to Australia.

A police taskforce made up of drug taskforce detectives, Customs and
Border Protection officers and Australian Federal Police investigators
is targeting the seven known syndicates -- although police admit
others are being set up.

"We are using information from several law enforcement databases to
develop an accurate picture of these groups," Inspector Fryer said.

One Melbourne-based group has recruited 40 couriers and a second has
35 prepared to make regular trips to Vietnam to collect heroin.

Police from Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security who have interviewed
arrested couriers say many are recruited from Australian casinos.

The syndicates are mainly using the one drug source in Ho Chi Minh
City and are importing heroin that is at least 80 per cent pure. Each
pellet is wrapped identically and weighs 70-80 grams.

Inspector Fryer estimated that each cartel was making up to $2 million
a month.

One key member of a syndicate, a woman in her 30s, is alleged to have
wagered $3.7 million at Crown Casino in six months last year, and was
betting up to $50,000 a hand.

Another key member has wagered $12 million at the casino in just over
10 years.

Police say some profits have been hidden in legitimate
businesses.

Inspector Fryer said a courier could be paid up to $24,000 for one
run, but the syndicate would make more than $700,000 from the drugs in
Melbourne.

"We estimate the heroin from four of the pellets has a wholesale value
of $160,000 and once it is cut down it is worth $730,000," he said.
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