Asia-Pacific

Australian police smash drug ring

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-15 13:04

CANBERRA - Australian police on Friday confirmed they had smashed a drug ring.

The eight-month investigation, Operation Rattlesnake-Joinery centered on an alleged drug syndicate ferrying heroin concealed internally by drug couriers into Victoria and New South Wales from Vietnam.

On Friday, eight people were arrested following raids in Victoria and New South Wales, with police seizing a "substantial" amount of cash, jewelry and property.

According to Victoria Police Drug Task Force officer-in-charge Detective Inspector David Jones, more than 150 police were involved in taking down the drug ring.

It involved Victoria Police, New South Wales Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Crime Commission and Vietnamese authorities.

"As a result of this operation we believe we have been able to disrupt the activities of significant drug and organized crime syndicates operating internationally," he told Australia Associated Press.

New South Wales Police Asian Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said the joint operation should send a message to criminals.

"Criminals who are operating across jurisdictions should think again - once caught you will be dealt with by a multi-pronged police response and police will come after you no matter what jurisdiction you're in," he said.