Australia

This is a joint media release between the AFP and Australian Border Force. Editor’s note: Images and audio grabs are available via Hightail The AFP is seizing significant amounts of opium amid concerns criminal groups in Australia are using connections in the United Kingdom, India and Pakistan to source the illicit drug. The AFP seized … Read more

Two West Australian men have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment for possessing child abuse material, as a result of separate investigations under Operation Tamworth. A Maddington man, 60, was sentenced on Tuesday (28 November, 2023) to two years and three months’ imprisonment by the Perth District Court after earlier this year pleading guilty to … Read more

Editor’s note: Images and audio grabs available via Hightail The AFP has received a boost to its workforce thanks to the rollout of a new recruitment initiative for skilled neurodivergent individuals. The Dandelion Program aims to connect talented neurodivergent people, specifically Autistic individuals, with meaningful employment opportunities while combatting skill shortages and creating more inclusive … Read more

The AFP will tomorrow launch its annual media advent calendar, which will include crime trends, operational success and tips for parents and carers over the school holidays. Every day until Christmas Eve, the AFP will publish an advent media release that highlights how the AFP has kept Australians safe in 2023 by disrupting crime onshore … Read more

Editors note: Footage of aerial helicopter patrols and photos of drone pilots available via Hightail. The AFP, working in partnership with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), is on the ground and in the air during the 2023 Pacific Games conducting tactical observations of sporting sites by helicopter and  drone capabilities. The AFP has … Read more

The AFP today acknowledges INTERPOL’s 100th anniversary as the number of INTERPOL notices created for Australian law enforcement agencies increased by 50 per cent in the past year. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw attended the 91st INTERPOL General Assembly in Vienna this week to discuss critical global threats, including serious transnational organised crime. Commissioner Kershaw said … Read more

The Australian Federal Police acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to First Nations people, culture and Elders past, present and emerging. Comment > Connect > Support Comment How will this information impact your life? Comment below and let … Read more

Editor’s note: Images and map are available via Hightail The AFP has set-up a new liaison office in Paris and is evaluating opening a post in Berlin to help further protect Australia by stopping crime at its source and enabling better intelligence sharing. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw met with Directors-General of the French National Police … Read more

Editor’s note: Images are available via Hightail The AFP is today paying tribute to the brave AFP members who risked their lives to protect their community during the 1993 Jolimont Siege. Police were called to the Dickson Pool in Canberra on 29 November, 1993 after a staff member had been shot in a targeted attack … Read more

On Friday 10 November, Assistant Commissioners Kirsty Schofield and Stephen Dametto were among some of the AFP personnel at the premiere of NCIS: Sydney hosted by Paramount+. The series follows AFP characters ‘JD, Evie, Dr Penrose and Blue’ and NCIS characters ‘Michelle and DeShawn’, who must work together to solve a number of challenging cases on their … Read more

Joint operations, intelligence sharing and harnessing new technologies were key discussions at the first Australia-United States Joint Council on Combatting Online Child Sexual Exploitation (Joint Council) meeting. The AFP reaffirmed its commitment at the first meeting this month (16 November, 2023) to help combat the unprecedented global increase of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. … Read more

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail. Malaysian authorities have arrested eight people for their alleged role in an international criminal syndicate which developed phishing kits targeting Australian Government websites. The AFP’s Joint Policing Cybercrime … Read more

A Victorian man has been sentenced to two years’ and 11 months’ imprisonment by the Melbourne County Court for transmitting and possessing child abuse material online.   The man, 44, from the Bass Coast region was sentenced today (24 November, 2023) after earlier pleading guilty to six online child abuse offences and three offences relating to … Read more

Bestie that’s not a slay! Gen Z more likely than anyone else to fall victim to cybercrime Editor’s note: Audio grabs of Acting Commander Grace Calma and educational cyber videos are available via Hightail The AFP is sounding the warning in two different languages – one for Gen Z and one for others – that … Read more

A Broadmeadows man has been jailed for six and a half years after a Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (VIC-JACET) investigation into the sexual abuse of a child. The man, 32, was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court yesterday (Wednesday 22 November, 2023) after pleading guilty to four charges relating to the sexual abuse … Read more

A Northern Territory man has been sentenced to two years and nine months’ imprisonment by the Alice Springs Supreme Court for possessing and accessing child abuse material online.   The Alice Springs man, 38, was sentenced yesterday (22 November, 2023) after earlier pleading guilty to three offences. The Northern Territory Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NT … Read more

Editor’s note: vision and photos available via Hightail. The AFP hosted 30 dogs and more than 60 people in Canberra this week in the first-ever Australia and New Zealand Police Canine Skills Enhancement Program (ANZCSEP).  The five-day program – including members from Australian state and territory police, and international partners from New Zealand, Türkiye, and … Read more

South African arrests linked to AFP investigation into international criminal syndicate The South African Police Service has arrested five men allegedly responsible for loading 100kg of cocaine in the cargo hold of an aircraft which was seized by the AFP in Sydney in October 2023. An AFP investigation, codenamed Operation Lucian, began in October 2022 … Read more

Modus operandi busted: Authorities issue warning after 154kg of cocaine seized from hull of cargo ship Editor’s note: Images and vision of cocaine seizures and audio grabs available via Hightail. The AFP is warning criminals their attempts to hide illicit drugs in the hull of cargo ships continues to be disrupted by law enforcement after … Read more

This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission A Montenegrin national has been charged by the AFP for allegedly refusing to comply with a Commonwealth Magistrate’s Order for data access. The man, 37, a crew member on a bulk cargo carrier, was arrested and charged … Read more

Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail. AFP members who live and work in Solomon Islands have dedicated their time and expertise in various sports to prepare local athletes competing in the 2023 Pacific Games, which officially get underway today. The head coaches of the Solomon Islands Pacific Games judo and golf teams are both AFP … Read more

Foreign national charged, 140kg of meth seized and a clan lab dismantled in New South Wales Editor’s Note: Images of the lab and seized methamphetamine is available via Hightail. The AFP has charged a man from Hong Kong with possessing and manufacturing methamphetamine after more than 140kg of the drug was found in a makeshift … Read more

18 November 2023, 3:54pm Media Release AFP statement: AFP employee stood down from duties A senior AFP employee has received a Court Attendance Notice after they were involved in a single vehicle collision yesterday (17 November, 2023) and returned a ‘Level 3’ alcohol concentration reading. The AFP employee will appear in an ACT Court on … Read more

This is a joint media release with the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Victoria Police. Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail A Canadian-French dual national has been sentenced to 18-and-a-half years imprisonment for his role in the importation of 154kg of methamphetamine seized in Victoria in 2022following a multi-agency operation. The man, 29, … Read more

This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force The AFP has charged a United States national who allegedly tried to import 2.4kg of heroin into Australia hidden in his luggage. The man, 65, was questioned by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Brisbane International Airport after he arrived on a … Read more

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force. Editor’s note: images and audio grabs available via Hightail. A Western Sydney man has been sentenced to an 18-month intensive corrections order by the New South Wales District Court today (17 November, 2023) for attempting to smuggle drugs and … Read more

AFP helps boost Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Fire and Rescue capability ahead of the Pacific Games Editor’s note: Images of gifted resources available via Hightail The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has taken delivery of significant firefighting resources to boost its fire and rescue capability, made possible through the RSIPF AFP Policing Partnership … Read more

A Victorian man, 54, is due to appear before Ringwood Magistrates’ Court today (16 November 2023) for allegedly making violent threats to a Federal Member of Parliament. The man was summonsed to appear before the Court after AFP officers executed a search warrant at his Doncaster home on 30 March, 2023. A laptop computer was … Read more

A South Australian man has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by the Adelaide District Court for engaging in sexualised conversations with a teenage girl. The Woodleigh man, 31, was sentenced on November 13, 2023 after pleading guilty to one offence on 28 July 2023. The investigation began when the girl’s mother reported suspicious social … Read more

Note to editors: Images of the seizure and arrest vision is available via Hightail A Sydney couple has been charged for an attempt to import 50kg of methamphetamine concealed within five blue shipping pallets. The man, 34, and woman, 30, are expected to appear before Downing Centre Local Court today (15 November 2023) after being … Read more

A Canberra man is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (14 November, 2023) after allegedly breaking into Canberra Airport and stealing an airline vehicle last month. The man, 31, allegedly scaled a fence on 29 October, 2023 and entered a restricted area of Canberra Airport where he was seen running across the … Read more

A Western Sydney man has appeared in the Penrith Local Court on Friday 10 November, 2023, charged with multiple alleged online exploitation offences including soliciting child abuse material. The investigation into the alleged offending began this month after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the UK’s National Crime … Read more

Editor’s note: Video recording of speech available via Hightail.  Last year, Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group principals and representatives met in Sydney to supercharge our collective efforts in combatting current and emerging threats. Off the back of crucial intelligence sharing and operational success, we are now in Melbourne fine-tuning and developing new strategies to target … Read more

This is a joint media release between the AFP and Australian Border Force. Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail. The AFP has charged a New Zealand national with serious drug import offences, after the elderly passenger allegedly smuggled illicit drugs inside his luggage on board an international flight to Australia at the weekend. The man, … Read more

The AFP has strong, effective and valued relationships with NSW Police. For example, for the past 20 years, the AFP/NSW Police Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has worked seamlessly to help keep Australians safe. The AFP also works closely with NSW Police in relation to Sydney Airport, as well as protecting high office holders, Parliamentarians and places … Read more

Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail. The AFP has donated eight electronic bikes (e-bikes) and provided specialised bicycle training to Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS), giving Samoan police another tool to keep their communities safe.    The AFP, through the Samoa Australia Police Partnership (SAPP), has handed over the e-bikes in preparation for … Read more

This is a joint media release between the AFP and Tasmania Police  Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail   A Sydney man has been charged after he allegedly attempted to fly from Hobart to Sydney with about $150,000 cash hidden inside his luggage.  AFP and Tasmania Police (TasPol) officers conducted a routine baggage check at Hobart … Read more

Editor’s note: Audio grabs from Acting Commander Rayner and resources can be found via Hightail The AFP-led ACCCE has joined forces with Kids Helpline, Meta and US youth prevention program, NoFiltr, to better protect young people from the growing threat of sextortion. The partnership includes the release of new educational resources, targeting 13-17 year olds … Read more

Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail. A further contingent of AFP members will arrive in the Solomon Islands today to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games, which start next week. More than 100 additional personnel will join AFP members already in Solomon Islands, who work in partnership … Read more

This is a joint release between the Australian Federal Police and Tasmania Police Editor’s Note: Images of the seizure are available via Hightail. A 26-year-old man has been charged with drug trafficking, after a targeted police operation led to one of the largest seizures of methylamphetamine and cocaine in Tasmania’s history. With the assistance of … Read more

A Perth man has been sentenced to nearly two years’ jail by the Perth Magistrates Court today (6 November), after pleading guilty to 11 counts of child abuse-related offences. The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) commenced an investigation into the man, 56, after receiving a referral from INTERPOL about a teenager … Read more

U.S. Secret Service Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Federal Police on Combating Transnational Crime On November 2, 2023, the U.S. Secret Service and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for inter-agency cooperation and information sharing regarding transnational crime. The MOU is based on a shared … Read more

Queensland man charged with child sexual offences following international cooperation A Queensland man has appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court (Monday, 30 October) charged with engaging in sexual intercourse with a child outside of Australia. The investigation began when Cyprus police received a report from the member of the public who witnessed an adult male allegedly … Read more

Editor’s note: Vision and images available via Hightail. A Sydney man has faced Downing Centre Local Court today (1 November, 2023) charged over allegedly importing 7kg of methamphetamine inside picture frames and drug manufacturing. The AFP investigation began in June 2023 after receiving a report from the Thailand Airport Interdiction Taskforce (AITF) about an air … Read more

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Division 2 (the Court). Editor’s note: Images of Walker John Duggan and Kylie Anne Duggan are available via Hightail The AFP and the Court are seeking public assistance to help locate an 18-month-old child, Walker John Duggan, … Read more

AFP blocks 10 child abuse websites and tracks thousands of predators who accessed them The AFP has proactively identified and blocked 10 child abuse websites hosted on domains associated with the Cocos Keeling Islands that were responsible for the distribution of almost one million child abuse images and videos. Since access to the sites was … Read more

A New South Wales man has been arrested for allegedly lighting a fire in a bin at Gold Coast Airport today (31 October, 2023). AFP officers at Gold Coast Airport were alerted to the alleged incident in the carpark at 6.40am. The fire was quickly extinguished and the man, 23, was arrested at the scene. … Read more

This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and the Therapeutic Goods Administration Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail The AFP has charged a Northern Territory man for allegedly importing metonitazene, a potent opioid, through the mail from the United Kingdom to the Northern Territory. The man, 39, appeared in Darwin … Read more

Editor’s note: Images are available via Hightail More than 13 tonnes of illegal drugs and precursor chemicals have been stopped from reaching Australian shores since 2016, thanks to the joint international partnership between the AFP and Thai authorities known as Taskforce Storm. Taskforce Storm, comprising of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Office of the Narcotics … Read more

Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail. The AFP has refurbished the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s (RSIPF) Police Operations Centre (POC) to enhance the monitoring of major police operational activities ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games. The AFP, through the RSIPF and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), began the project in September 2022, which included … Read more

Melbourne man charged for helping launder tens of millions from cybercrime victims The AFP has charged a Chinese national for allegedly using an Australian-based crime syndicate to help launder $100 million stolen from victims who invested in a global investment scam. The Melbourne man, 37, is the seventh person charged under Operation Wickham, a joint … Read more

Editor’s note: Images and footage available via Hightail. Seven members of an alleged Chinese organised crime syndicate accused of secretly running a prominent, multi-billion-dollar money remitting chain in Australia, have been charged under the most complex AFP-led money-laundering investigation in the nation’s history. The Changjiang Currency Exchange, which the AFP alleges is being secretly run … Read more

Editor’s note: Images from the event are available via Hightail The AFP is celebrating half a century of partnership with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) resulting in numerous drug detections and seizures, millions of dollars in criminal assets restrained and the rescue of children from sexual exploitation. The Malaysia office was the AFP’s first permanent … Read more

Children removed from harm in the Philippines following international investigation Editor’s note: Arrest vision and photos are available via Hightail This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Philippine National Bureau of Investigation. A South Australian man will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today (25 October, 2023) … Read more

Editor’s note: Images and footage are available via Hightail This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police. The AFP has charged two alleged members of an Australian criminal syndicate accused of possessing and manufacturing large quantities of methamphetamine, after a clandestine laboratory was found in a Melbourne factory unit. … Read more

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are proud to announce the AFP Women, Police and Peace virtual exhibition in commemoration of the 20th anniversary today of the adoption of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1325, “Women, Peace, and Security”. The virtual exhibition is a pictorial retrospective highlighting the critical role of women in policing, focusing … Read more