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Illicit drugs bust highlights the peril of budget cuts
09-June-2009
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Illicit drugs bust highlights the peril of budget cuts
Despite Labor cuts of $58.1 million to Customs funding, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service should be commended for apprehending $15 million worth of materials that could have been used to manufacture methamphetamines, Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs, Sussan Ley said today.
Approximately 200 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient of methamphetamine, and 1.8 tonnes of processing chemicals was seized after it was discovered sealed in drums and concealed in a container full of flat-pack furniture.
Customs officers also found 1000 litres of hypophosphorous acid, a highly toxic and flammable liquid which can cause chemical burns and internal bleeding.
Ms Ley said the seizure highlighted Labor’s recklessness in cutting funding to Customs cargo and vessel inspections by $58.1 million.
“Customs and the AFP play a critical role in countering the criminal drug trade and these are the kinds of concealments that Kevin Rudd and Labor are waving through our ports and airports, having cut back on funding and staff cuts to our border security system,” Ms Ley said.
“Labor’s Budget cuts of 75 per cent to air and 25 per cent for sea cargo inspections will mean more drugs on our streets, and at a time when Customs has more demands on it than ever before.
“This latest seizure is proof of how hard our customs and AFP officers work, even though Labor is making them fight the war on drugs with one arm tied behind their backs.
“Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Labor are playing a dangerous game by under-funding critical aspects of Customs and are placing Australia’s security interests and Australian lives at risk.”
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Media contact: Debbie Brown (02) 60213264 0428 297 699