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Discussion => Shipping => Topic started by: Greynick on May 22, 2012, 01:02 pm

Title: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 22, 2012, 01:02 pm
The truth about Australian Customs -

1/25 containers scanned (sea)
1/9 air freight scanned
1/3 of all parcels scanned

by: Cameron Stewart
From: The Australian
May 05, 2012 12:00AM

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A STATUE of a soldier sits on the desk of Mike Pezzullo, chief operating officer of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. It harks from his days as a senior Defence Department official but it now sits as silent witness to a very different war being waged by Pezzullo and Customs chief Mike Carmody.

The battlefield is the nation's shipping ports and airports, where technology, globalisation and organised crime are changing the game of border protection at frightening speed, arguably posing the biggest challenge to Customs in its history.

The recent revelation that gun smugglers used a suburban Sydney post office to illegally import 150 Glock pistols, and media reports that crime syndicates are exploiting flaws in Customs computer systems to help smuggle drugs into the country, have placed Customs on the defensive.

"We know that criminals target our staff and our systems," admits Carmody. "I am currently working on a comprehensive overhaul to strengthen its security." But the scale of the challenge is daunting and little understood by most Australians, whose engagement with Customs officers usually begins and ends at the airport.

"The fairly antiquated notion which people have of the border security role is still of the friendly officer at the airport," Pezzullo tells Inquirer. "But there is a whole realm of other business which we have to undertake which is more akin to intelligence and law enforcement, which is very much done behind the scenes."

While most people might imagine Customs casts a comprehensive eye across all freight coming into Australia, the reality is starkly different. Its 5800 officers are unable to physically inspect more than a small proportion of all sea and air cargo and freight parcels that come into Australia.

Even if Customs had the resources to inspect all sea and air freight it would "gum" the economy, which relies on the timely release of imports, Pezzullo says.

"The time involved in doing this would involve far more resources, plus time penalties on Australian industry."

Only 100,000 of the 2.5 million shipping containers - one in 25 - are subject to X-ray inspection, while barely 1.5 million - one in nine - of the 13.9 million air cargo assignments are X-rayed. Of the 54 million air freight parcels received through the postal system, only 21 million are X-rayed.

Customs says these odds are not as tempting as they might look to criminals, because 100 per cent of cargo and freight is risk-assessed, and high-risk shipments identified during this process are subject to inspection. But former NSW detective Tim Priest says there is growing evidence criminals are exploiting poor security in the nation's ports and airports.

"The Glocks incident alone is the starting point for a full scale national inquiry," he tells Inquirer. "Customs and the federal government have absolutely no defence on this incident and it can only mirror much larger oversights of, say, drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines, weaponry, etc, flooding into this country.

"We need a federal/state task force made up of state police, customs, crime commission, ASIO and immigration to tackle each and every port and airport in the country, including post office mail exchanges, to find out just how deeply embedded has organised crime become in the customs/ border areas."

Carmody warns that globalisation and technology are making Customs agents' tasks increasingly difficult. He says cargo movements to Australia are set to double by 2020 and this cargo is being moved more quickly through complex supply chains, making it harder to detect the tracks of organised crime.

"With cargo, the interconnectedness of the international community makes it increasingly challenging to identify the origin of goods and the routes taken before they arrive in Australia," Carmody said in a recent speech. "With the growing globalisation of the world economy, much of this growth will come from areas that may pose additional security risks to the Australian border.

"Economic integration and complexity provides criminal groups with more opportunities to obscure sources, origins, destinations and entities."

Another fundamental challenge is the rise and rise of online shopping for goods overseas, which has revived the parcels trade but made it much harder for Customs to keep an eye on what is coming through.

The post is considered the final frontier of border protection, and one yet to be properly scrutinised, even though Customs is aware it is being used to ferry in illicit goods such as drugs and firearms.

Faced with these challenges, and knowing it will never have the resources to police Australia's ports and airports with a fine-toothed comb, Pezzullo is trying to tilt the odds in Customs' favour by using brains rather than brawn.

Pezzullo, who joined Customs from Defence in 2009, is heading an aggressive push to mould Customs into an intelligence agency, where the gathering, analysis and use of intelligence information will govern the targeting of air and sea cargo more than ever before.

This trend began in earnest in 2008, when then prime minister Kevin Rudd used his national security statement to rename the agency and ensure it would task and analyse intelligence in tandem with other national security agencies.

In truth, Customs doesn't really have much choice but to tread this path. If the agency doesn't have the resources to randomly screen even a modest portion of incoming cargo to Australia, then it needs to be highly selective about the cargo it does inspect.

Under Pezzullo, an intelligence team of about 480 analysts, spread across the country, are developing more advanced and complex risk-assessment models for cargo which take into account a myriad of factors. These go far beyond basic issues such as countries of origin, ports of transit, nature of goods and identities.

Pezzullo declines to reveal more about the modelling, but says it mirrors the traditional intelligence work done by the established spy agencies.

"We have sought to professionalise the risk-assessment intelligence and targeting functions and make it able to operate at the same level as the more classic national intelligence security agencies," he says. "We identify patterns, information gaps (and try to assess) the course of action which people are likely to take."

He says 85 per cent of the 4052 firearms and accessories found over the past three years were detected as a result of targeted intelligence assessment, as were about 96 per cent of drug detections.

Pezzullo believes Customs is winning the battle and points to the sharp increase in the number and weight of border drug detections in 2010-11. Customs had 15,494 drug detections in 2010-11, compared with 9462 in 2009-10.

But couldn't this increase in detections also reflect a much larger assault on our borders by organised crime, rather than better work by Customs?

"You could run that theoretical argument but I don't agree with it," Pezzullo replies. "We have other indicators which tell us otherwise. It's not a regulated market, so you don't really know, but if you go on prices of different types of drugs we are not being hit with more drugs across all drug types. If we were, we'd be seeing that in admissions to hospitals and movements in the price of different drugs."

Customs is also caught up in the controversy over the spate of shootings in NSW. Pezzullo is concerned some high-powered guns are getting through the customs net but says most guns are being recycled in the domestic market rather than newly imported. "Our current view is that the domestic black market continues to be the main source of illegal firearms but we are still concerned about the potential for illegal imports, mainly with higher velocity, more capable weapons."

As well as trying to prevent criminals from exploiting its electronic systems, Customs is also stepping up efforts to root out corrupt officers who pose arguably the greatest threat to the integrity of border control.

More than a dozen Customs officers are under investigation for corruption or integrity-related offences. Customs, at its own request, has recently come under the oversight of the federal anti-corruption body, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, although critics point out ACLEI is an under-funded minnow that lacks the clout to keep a close eye on the vast Customs network.

Despite these challenges, Pezzullo says Customs is now using its intelligence arm more effectively than ever. "The emphasis (now) is really on the intelligence," he says.

"Making risk judgments based on intelligence ... that is the future.
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 22, 2012, 01:16 pm
Read between the lines people.

The crux of this article: Resources are limited. Customs needs to find as much of the drugs (as well as other more pesky illegal items like guns / pieces of terrorist bombs etc) as possible using what it has at its disposal. It therefore has to react intelligently, by risk profiling.

Envelopes with a few grams in each are way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way -> two pages of "way" down the list

Grey
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Limetless on May 22, 2012, 01:19 pm
When I saw the title of this thread I was hoping the first post would say "THEY ARE ALL CRAB PEOPLE..craaaaab people...craaaaaab people".

Still a good read though! :) Kudos to the OP.
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 22, 2012, 01:26 pm
Bahahaha Limitless :)

Thank you for the kudos.
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Limetless on May 22, 2012, 01:45 pm
I gave you +1 Karma as well mate. :)
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 22, 2012, 04:45 pm
Great info grey!

Lim you a funny guy...
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: zero effect on May 23, 2012, 06:57 am
Good read Greynick. Its amusing that they recently had the big story of busts, now this, admitting that most cargo doesn't even get checked.
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Supalai on May 23, 2012, 08:28 am
was all about guns really - which is great for us  :D

confirming what i thought anyway - under distribution amounts , they don't have the time or resources

 8) thanks for posting
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: onionsoup71 on May 23, 2012, 11:16 am
Quote
But couldn't this increase in detections also reflect a much larger assault on our borders by organised crime, rather than better work by Customs?

"You could run that theoretical argument but I don't agree with it," Pezzullo replies. "We have other indicators which tell us otherwise. It's not a regulated market, so you don't really know, but if you go on prices of different types of drugs we are not being hit with more drugs across all drug types. If we were, we'd be seeing that in admissions to hospitals and movements in the price of different drugs."

This guy is dreaming.  I suspect he may be on drugs  ;)

1. That's right, you have absolutely no idea of the total volume imported.
2. Molly prices HAVE slowly dropped over the last 15 years (it was $45 the last time I had it 15 years ago, and is now what......25-30?).  The only thing that will lower the prices is increased competition from the likes of SR. It mirrors every other market in AU.
3. You could just as easily argue that hospital admissions hasn't increased because there's more education, more information.  It's not like there was erowid back in 1989 when I was dropping tabs....and this is despite the fact that the total number and different types of drugs you can get now has absolutely gone through the roof.  There was less than a dozen drugs available 20 years ago.  Now there's a couple of hundred.
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: yellow on May 23, 2012, 12:15 pm
Envelopes with a few grams in each are way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way -> two pages of "way" down the list

Absolutely true, but doesn't mean you're safe. What happens when (like recently) the supplier gets caught with a bunch of envelopes all loaded up and addressed to places all over the world.

Sure the odds are small that the OS services will do much other than destroy them, but they could also send an email to their worldwide counterparts with the list of addresses. If nothing else, you'd get flagged, something I'd rather not happen.

Don't get me wrong, wholeheartedly agree with you, just won't want people to get too cocky or too comfortable with a highly illegal act. 

Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 24, 2012, 01:03 am
Don't get me wrong, wholeheartedly agree with you, just won't want people to get too cocky or too comfortable with a highly illegal act.

No doubt this is true :)
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: JimPooley on May 24, 2012, 01:26 am
I rolled my eyes when I saw the thread title... "great, another fucking putz putting forward his unsubstantiated "insider" information" and I started loading up...

Nope, cited reference and all...

Very much appreciated G-nick, 6 thumbs up!
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 24, 2012, 01:34 am
I rolled my eyes when I saw the thread title... "great, another fucking putz putting forward his unsubstantiated "insider" information" and I started loading up...

Nope, cited reference and all...

Very much appreciated G-nick, 6 thumbs up!

You are most welcome kind sir.

Grey
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 04:15 am
I rolled my eyes when I saw the thread title... "great, another fucking putz putting forward his unsubstantiated "insider" information" and I started loading up...

Nope, cited reference and all...

Very much appreciated G-nick, 6 thumbs up!

Fucking give him karma Jim you are so tight with it lol
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: JimPooley on May 24, 2012, 05:30 am
I stopped giving it out when you decided to troll-neg me... cunt!


but FINE, he does deserve one doesn't he!
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 24, 2012, 05:35 am
I gave you both karma.

Grey :)
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 05:38 am
Bro I can honestly say fucking NC is the one, he fucking openly discussed it. He my friend is the true cunt!
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: JimPooley on May 24, 2012, 05:48 am
it has to be a regular too... so i figured it was either you or shiz... In which case that's cool, anyone who knows me can neg me, but if a some strange bastard does it they better look out... I'll tell on them!


Then I'll get Ruke or some other TC to bash 'em...
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: LeisureLass on May 24, 2012, 06:15 am
fucking oath.
no i havent neg'd anyone. only these stupid cunts coming on asking dumb shit.
friends dont neg friends :D

im sure hoffa is sending btc to ppl with over 100posts, his has gone up by atleast 6 in the last day, its not like he says anything worth reading ::)

i got pwn'd-3 in the space of 40 mins for sticking up for someone. last time i do that! dont cunts know i am a real person with real feelings! :(

so I need 100 posts to be able to give karma?
so i'll just say useless crap like this then..

Are you going to come back and neg everyone who gave you shit for your first couple of threads?  Just trying to help you help yourself y'know  ::)

I got negged all -3 at once and I have no idea what I said.  I try to be nice.
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: LeisureLass on May 24, 2012, 06:29 am
I got negged all -3 at once and I have no idea what I said.  I try to be nice.

And there's another.  Fuck people are harsh  :(  ;D
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 24, 2012, 08:20 am
I got negged all -3 at once and I have no idea what I said.  I try to be nice.

And there's another.  Fuck people are harsh  :(  ;D

Don't worry LeisureDude, I gave you a + karma to make up for it :)

Grey
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: JimPooley on May 24, 2012, 09:13 am
Have 1 from me LL, apparently I never give the shit out...


Thinking about starting an anti-huff thread, just to see how much of a mad burner we can run!
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 09:18 am
fucking oath.
no i havent neg'd anyone. only these stupid cunts coming on asking dumb shit.
friends dont neg friends :D

im sure hoffa is sending btc to ppl with over 100posts, his has gone up by atleast 6 in the last day, its not like he says anything worth reading ::)

i got pwn'd-3 in the space of 40 mins for sticking up for someone. last time i do that! dont cunts know i am a real person with real feelings! :(

Oi cunt that's Shizle who dribbled that!

so I need 100 posts to be able to give karma?
so i'll just say useless crap like this then..
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 10:53 am
I was sticking up for you Shizle! Noob called you a waste of space. I agree but he shouldnt have said it! ;)
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: LeisureLass on May 24, 2012, 10:54 am
Don't worry LeisureDude, I gave you a + karma to make up for it :)
Grey

Have 1 from me LL, apparently I never give the shit out...

Thank you both gentlemen. :)  Sadly some meany has stealth negged me another one  :'(

Ah well.  At least having any sort of karma means I'm not a boring fuck :)
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 11:15 am
sorry hoff bro.. just not on the point tonight :/

i didnt even pick up on it. i think he is the one who started a thread about coke success couple weeks back, for which i tore a new arsehole, he tried arguing, so made him look even more retarded, and then got the thread deleted. i cant remember 100% though who it was. ::)

dont matter what i dribble, i still get more respect.. heh

Haha just post raped him and yes he was and yes you did lol
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: novocaine on May 24, 2012, 11:53 am
Bro I can honestly say fucking NC is the one, he fucking openly discussed it. He my friend is the true cunt!

You fucking sqUEEEEELER...
If it wasnt for me JP would have more neg karma. Every time I see him get close to going ito the negative I give him a positive.
He cant help it if none of you pricks dont get his humour.
Anyway I assume one or two of you fellas are looking out for me too because I dont know how the fuck I have 10+karma.

Nice work Greynick btw.
1 in 3 parcels  :o. I didnt think they were that proficient. Lets assume 1/6 ;)
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 11:57 am
Haha your a cunt bro, I have never neg you bitch and you gave me another one haha fucking funny. Was it the Hollywood comment or the sexy voice thing you have going on!
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: novocaine on May 24, 2012, 12:10 pm
lol bring it... another neg. ;D
Scouts honour Hoff I have never given you a neg that I didnt take back.... for shits n giigles
Anyway I think I have only ever given out a couple negs for REALLY  REALLY shit advice.. Not because I didnt like the person.
I will leave that business to the children on this site
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 01:12 pm
Grey has gone to bed mate we are fucked when he sees this shit! NC your a lying cunt how do you take back negs bitch? Huh??*
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: hoffa on May 24, 2012, 01:53 pm
Fucking lying cunt it just gave you more. Or....fuck I never neg you cunt so now i must take it away haha jokes bro you cam keep it for that fucking funny post in that mail thread, still laughing.
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 24, 2012, 02:02 pm
props to grey for being such a good sport and allowing the sledgefest

Sledgefest lightens up the mood of an otherwise drab and dreary existence.

:)

Grey

Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: Greynick on May 24, 2012, 02:03 pm
Grey has gone to bed mate we are fucked when he sees this shit! NC your a lying cunt how do you take back negs bitch? Huh??*

Grey is laughing too hard to sleep.

Grey rarely, if ever sleeps.

Grey
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: JimPooley on May 24, 2012, 02:23 pm
what the fuck, i fuck off for a fucken minute and fucken cunts go fucken nuts...

fucken fuck...
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: ozzybattla on May 24, 2012, 03:48 pm
The truth about Australian Customs -

1/25 containers scanned (sea)
1/9 air freight scanned
1/3 of all parcels scanned
So that's the stats: who's going in with me on  a container??  ;D
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: opi8 on May 24, 2012, 03:51 pm
The truth about Australian Customs -

1/25 containers scanned (sea)
1/9 air freight scanned
1/3 of all parcels scanned
So that's the stats: who's going in with me on  a container??  ;D

haha I wish, I like my asshole tight man...
Title: Re: The truth about Australian Customs
Post by: JimPooley on May 25, 2012, 12:20 pm
Tea chests?

You putting a jug-band together amigo?