Border officials under investigation

Australian border and customs officials are being investigated for allegedly cooperating with organised crime syndicates to smuggle in vast shipments of illicit drugs.

Fairfax Media says Australian law enforcement agencies are investigating more than 24 Customs and Border Protection officials on suspicion of corruption or misconduct.

It says Taskforce Polaris, a joint state and federal inquiry into maritime organised crime in NSW, is investigating more than 20 allegations involving corrupt government officials, such as customs employees and licensed customs brokers.

Fairfax said the corruption watchdog has received more than 50 files on suspected corruption involving customs officials since early last year.

“Customs has suspended or sacked 15 of its officers since 2010 over misconduct or corruption allegations, including an official with close ties to a Sydney-based Middle Eastern crime family and an official caught by NSW police snorting cocaine off the boot of a car,” said Fairfax.

The allegations follow concerns by government and police about the ability of the watchdog, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, to combat the problems with its small budget, small number of investigators and limited jurisdiction.

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