Advertisement

Mexican drug cartels in Australia

AAP

AAP

Violent Mexican cartels with links to Australian crime gangs are infiltrating the nation’s illicit drug trade.

Australian Crime Commission (ACC) chief executive Chris Dawson says the cartels can get higher prices for their drugs in Australia than in Mexico or the US.

· Lockdown ordered for Parliament House
 ·Govt turns its mind to terror
· Gillard no leader: Howard

“Recently, we’ve seen the emergence of Mexican cartel activity within Australia,” he said in a statement on Monday.

“The Australian Crime Commission is concerned about the types of serious and organised crime groups targeting Australia, in particular Mexican organised crime groups.

“You only need to look to the violence on the streets in Mexico and the thousands of people who have died at the hands of Mexican drug cartels to realise how dangerous these groups are, and they are now looking at Australia as a destination to facilitate their crime.”

The ACC was involved in the arrest of two men allegedly linked to a Mexican cartel in July, seizing about 30kg of suspected crystal methamphetamine, guns and about $2 million.

Mr Dawson said the cartels had links to Australian outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime groups.

“The Australian Crime Commission and its law enforcement partners are committed to working with US and other overseas authorities to share law enforcement intelligence and information that can help disrupt syndicates,” he said.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said it was very concerning that the cartels were bleeding into the state.

“There is a whole lot of violence attached to these cartels and these people starting to reach into Victoria is very, very worrying,” he told Fairfax Media on Monday.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.