Australian Border Force

In December last year most Australians were winding down for the year. At the ABF, we were busy setting up Operation Lunar – since then, we’ve seen strong results in combatting illegal foreign fishing. Just last week officers intercepted two illegal foreign fishing vessels, 12 crew members, and $120,000 worth of sea cucumber, following a report from Djelk Rangers from the Bawinanga Homelands Aboriginal Corporation. The unique and detailed knowledge that Indigenous ranger groups and Traditional Owners and custodians possess about Country is invaluable in supporting our efforts to protect our borders.

A Sydney man appeared at court today (Tuesday 25 February 2025) charged with child abuse material related offences. The man was selected for a baggage examination by ABF officers when he arrived at Sydney Airport from the UAE. A mobile phone and laptop were located and during a digital examination by ABF officers, child abuse material was allegedly identified. Officers located and seized a bag with about 25 video cassettes, a laptop and three hard drives. Our message to offenders has not changed – if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.

Three men with alleged links to Iranian organised crime have been charged with allegedly importing boxes fabricated out of meth. They were charged by the Australian Federal Police earlier this week, after ABF officers intercepted an air cargo shipment suspected to contain the illicit drugs, which were sent from southwest Asia. Inside the shipment, officers found 110kg of meth with a street value of about $101,750,000 and potentially sold as 1,100,000 individual street deals. This is a huge win for the Australian community, with the collective efforts of AFP and ABF officers stopping this harmful drug hitting our streets.

Empowering our next generation of leaders for a safe and secure Pacific region ?? Thirty emerging female customs officers from 17 nations across the Pacific have travelled to Suva, Fiji today to begin the final phase of the 2025 Pacific Women’s Professional Development Program (PWPDP). The Australian Border Force initiative, in partnership with Oceania Customs Organisation and RMIT University, empowers future female leaders working in customs roles in the Pacific to advance their career pathways, which in turn also strengthens security in the region. ?? The six-week program equips participants with essential leadership skills, prepares them for coming advancements in global trade and fosters customs networking. ABF Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Vanessa Holben said the ABF and its partners remain committed to fostering a secure, prosperous, and sovereign Pacific region by promoting the vital role of women in customs.

A Victorian man has been sentenced to nine years and 10 months' imprisonment for importing almost 5kg of methamphetamine through Perth Airport in 2022. The AFP charged the man in August 2022, after Australian Border Force officers discovered the illicit drugs after he arrived on a flight from overseas. ABF officers identified anomalies in the walls of the suitcases when they were x-rayed during a baggage examination. Further examination uncovered strip chambers filled with white powder, which returned positive results for methamphetamine. The total amount was 4.9kg of high purity methamphetamine which could have been sold to about 49,000 people with an estimated street value of more than $4.5 million.

The job to protect over 10,000km of NT coastline and 887 islands is no mean feat. Last week Australian Border Force, Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Northern Land Council representatives flew to Croker Island to talk with the local community about Operation LUNAR and how we can work together to combat illegal foreign fishing. It’s important for us to stay engaged with communities, who are experts on their Country and their local knowledge and observations are an invaluable contribution to the work being done.

All aboard ?? for an exciting career as an Engineering Officer in the Australian Border Force Marine Unit. Learn more and apply now: EL1 – Chief Engineer (Cape Class): https://lnkd.in/gStTJ8Nz APS6 – Chief Engineer (Thaiyak and Bay Class) and Deputy Engineer (Cape Class): https://lnkd.in/gacp5CAh Applications close Monday, 17th February 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT (midnight).

Guess who just graduated from the BFORT program? Cohort 104 from Sydney! ?? After a year of dedication and hard work at the ABF College, they've emerged as some of our newest Australian Border Force officers. Coming from diverse employment, educational and cultural backgrounds, our newest team members bring an array of experience to the region, strengthening our border protection capability. Now, as sworn-in ABF officers, they stand ready to tackle any task and protect our nation. Their achievements are a testament to their passion and commitment to making a difference. Interested in joining learning more about the BFORT program? Visit: https://lnkd.in/gSrngpHd

A New Zealand national is expected to appear before court today charged with allegedly importing 20kg of cocaine into Australia concealed in his luggage. Over the weekend ABF officers detected the illicit drugs following a baggage examination when he arrived at Sydney Airport on a flight from the United States. They allegedly found 22 vacuum sealed packages of a white substance hidden in the man's suitcase. This amount of cocaine could have been sold as almost 100,000 street deals with an estimated value of $6.5 million.

A fugitive accused of conspiring to import illicit drugs into Australia, following an investigation as part of Operation Ironside, has been found and detained on a boat off the Northern Territory Coast. An arrest warrant was issued for the Sydney man after he failed to appear in court on 20 January. On 25 January, a man fitting the fugitive’s description was reportedly seen on a yacht anchored nearby on East Woody Beach, Nhulunbuy, NT. The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force deployed a patrol boat which intercepted the yacht sailing north in the Arafura Sea. It was subsequently escorted to Nhulunbuy, NT with the support of Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. The man was taken into custody under the NSW arrest warrant. The crew of the vessel, a Dutch man, 51, and a United Kingdom woman, 42, will both be charged with a people smuggling offence contrary to section 73.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The ABF is positioned across Australia, including in remote regions, where our officers work side by side with law enforcement partners and the local community. These relationships are crucial to monitoring for unusual behaviour and ensuring our border is secure from criminals attempting to carry out illegal acts.