More funding to tackle organised crime

AUGUST 24, 2016: The Commonwealth Government has today committed an additional $3 million investment to extend and enhance the work of the Queensland National Anti-Gang Squad (NAGS) Strike Team, and that's welcome news.This additional funding will be invested to crack down on the threat posed by outlaw motorcycle gangs in Queensland, including targeting regional areas that are being hit hardest by the nation’s ice scourge.The Commonwealth’s National Ice Taskforce found that these outlaw gangs play a significant role in the importation, domestic manufacture and trafficking of illegal drugs in Australia, including ice.We know that Ice is having a devastating impact on our community and on families, and that message was delivered loud and clear at community forums held in the region last year.So today’s announcement of additional funding to crack down on crime is a welcome move.[box style="1 or 2"]The Queensland NAGS Strike Team was established in October 2013 as part of the Government’s $77 million investment to help stop the threat posed by OMCGs. Since then it has:

• Made 500 arrests and laid 1650 charges;
• Seized 45 firearms and ammunition; and
• Seized more than 200kg of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis and MDMA.[/box]

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said the Commonwealth Government is working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle OMCG networks.“We know these gangs rely heavily on the illegal drug market as a principle source of profit.  More than 60 per cent of Australia’s highest risk criminal targets are involved in the ice market and driving its expansion," Minister Keenan said.“So we’re going hard to shut down their evil trades and we’re not backing off. This investment will go a long way towards helping disrupt attempts – particularly in regional Queensland – where these gangs peddle the type of drug misery that is destroying our communities.”Nationally, through NAGS the Commonwealth Government has fostered unprecedented cooperation from federal, state and territory law enforcement agencies which to date has assisted with more than 1000 offenders arrested, 3,100 charges laid and 583 illegal guns seized.But, we cannot simply arrest our way out of the ice problem – we must also work to reduce the demand for this drug.That is why the Coalition Government is investing almost $300 million to improve treatment, after care, education, prevention and community engagement to tackle ice.This funding package also includes significant investment in rural and regional areas.With this investment and a continued focus on tough law enforcement action, we are investing in the safety of our communities, our families and frontline service workers who have been touched by this insidious drug.