Latest news with #ABF
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Watchdog raises concern over Darwin hotel housing detained illegal fishers
Australia's detention centre watchdog has raised concerns about conditions at an ageing hotel in the Darwin CBD which is being used to detain illegal foreign fishers. The top two levels of the 1970s-era Frontier Hotel have been converted into a makeshift detention centre following a surge in the number of Indonesian fishers caught illegally in Australian waters. Commonwealth Ombudsman Iain Anderson visited the hotel last year as part of his role overseeing Australia's places of detention, after which he reported significant issues with the facility, which have now come to light. "The facility lacks appropriate access to fresh air and exercise," his post-visit summary read. "Accommodation areas were cramped, and while facilities appeared to be clean, some rooms had water damage to walls and carpeting. "Recreational facilities were limited and not fit for purpose. "The outdoor area consists of a temporary camping gazebo that has been erected in an enclosed service area of the hotel between a shipping container and hotel service equipment." The report also detailed how the Frontier had been transformed to accommodate the detainees, including how one hotel room was converted into a medical clinic. Mr Anderson called on the Australian government to consider funding a "purpose-built facility in the Northern Territory that appropriately meets the needs of the current cohorts". "There needs to be somewhere that's actually fit for purpose," he told the ABC. The report into the Frontier Hotel indicates the facility has capacity to detain 20 people and, as well as illegal fishers, the hotel from time to time accommodates "people refused immigration clearance at an airport, and people whose visas are cancelled on character grounds". There has not been a purpose-built immigration centre in the NT since the Commonwealth closed Darwin's Wickham Point Detention Centre in 2016. Since his recommendations were made late last year, Mr Anderson said the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Home Affairs Department had committed to making changes within the facility. Among those, Mr Anderson said a proper outdoor recreational area was being constructed. "Currently, because of those construction works, it actually means that there's less access to fresh air than there was before," he said. "But I am confident that they're actually listening to my recommendations and they're seeking to improve the conditions at the Frontier Hotel. "We're continuing to monitor what's happening and how long that's going to take." An ABF spokesperson said: "The facilities currently in use are consistent with the 2024 Ombudsman's report and recommendations." "In utilising the facility, implementation of recommendations were considered within the available infrastructure," the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for Home Affairs said the department provided oversight of the company that manages the Frontier facility, an Australian-registered management and training corporation named Secure Journeys. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke did not respond to a question about whether the federal government was considering Mr Anderson's recommendation to build a new immigration detention facility in the NT. NT Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley said the fishers' detention was a "Commonwealth matter" and he did not "know the full details". "What is appropriate is to make sure these illegal fishers suffer a consequence, and they need to make sure that they get detained," he said. Recently, seven fishers from a small village outside of Sulawesi were held in the detention centre, before being found guilty of fishing offences in the Darwin Local Court and deported back to Indonesia.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sky News AU
French man arrested at Sydney Airport after more than $20 million worth of meth was allegedly discovered in his suitcase
A French national has been arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine after allegedly being caught trying to import 22kg worth of the substance into the country. The man, aged 20, was stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney Airport for a routine examination after arriving on a flight from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on July 20. Officers allegedly discovered 22 vacuum-sealed bags hidden in his luggage that contained a clear crystalline substance, and presumptive testing revealed a positive result for methamphetamine, and Australian Federal Police statement (AFP) said. The estimated weight of the crystalline substance was 22kg, and AFP have since seized the alleged drugs. The amount of methamphetamine allegedly seized had an estimated street value of over $20 million, representing 220,000 potential individual street deals. AFP officers arrested the French national, who has since been charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, and a count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine. He now faces a lengthy sentence behind bars, with both offences carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The French national was formerly refused bail after appearing before Downing Centre Local Court on July 21 and he is set to reappear in at the court on September 16. AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP and the border force continued to see people trying to smuggle illegal drugs into their country via luggage. The AFP is "working closely with our partners at the border and overseas" to disrupt the importation of such drugs into Australia, he said. 'This is not a victimless crime. The drugs these individuals carry fuel violence, addiction and organised crime in our communities. Every kilogram seized is a blow to the networks that profit from harm and a reminder that Australia is not an easy target," Detective Superintendent Blunden said.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I ordered an everyday item of clothing from overseas when it was seized at the Australian border... then came the $2,500 bill to get it back
An Australian business owner has lashed out after his clothing shipment was seized at the border and he was forced to pay more than $2,500 before he could get it back. Andy Lowry, who runs clothing store Pamboes, had ordered a shipment of 'blanket hoodies' from China before they were withheld by the Australian Border Force. Authorities had searched the clothing for illegal materials, however they found nothing suspicious inside of them. Mr Lowry was slugged with a $2,524 bill for airport storage fees and informed he would not be able to collect the items until he settled it. 'Apparently because I'm the importer on record, I had to pay that $2,524 bill and they pretty much told me to get stuffed,' he said. 'This is like the cost of doing business essentially.' Mr Lowry claimed the seizure put him behind schedule for marketing the new clothes. 'I can confirm that [Master Air Waybill number] is subject to border processing and we're unable to provide a timeframe as to when it may be available,' an official advised in an email. 'At this point I'm getting stressed cause they like can't give me a timeframe. I'm like how long are they going to keep it for?' Mr Lowry said. In correspondence from the ABF, Mr Lowry was told he could not collect his items until he paid to lift the storage fees. He believed it would cost a few hundred dollars. 'After I wait a week and a half, I get my storage charges and it's storage for $2,524. For what? A hoodie?' Mr Lowry said. 'Then I sort of had this huge back and forth on why I'm having to pay for this, and lo and behold, it is legal. 'The Australian Border Force can do that to any person who is importing.' Mr Lowry said to chase a reimbursement he was deferred to the Department of Home Affairs. He was told he would have to lodge an investigation and complain. Mr Lowry told Daily Mail Australia any fee 'coming out of nowhere' makes it 'tough' to do business. He said the 'seasonal' business relies on customers purchasing his products at the beginning of winter, and estimates the border mishap in June cost him dearly. Mr Lowry began selling the loungewear during the Covid pandemic before realising there was a market for 'blanket'-style clothes. 'This delay cost us two weeks in June, which would be above a six-figure loss in lost sales,' he said. 'Understandably customers do their winter shopping at the beginning of winter so they can get full use out of whatever they have bought.' When he tried to chase an investigation, Mr Lowry found there was no way around paying the fees, as the importer on record is liable for the costs. 'In the time Australian Border Force is checking your goods, your shipping company is forced to hold the goods at their warehouses until Australian Border Force is finished and storage charges are imposed,' he said. 'Some companies may be kind enough to waive these charges, but understandably they are a business too.' Mr Lowry said the costs around occupying commercial real estate are expensive as port space is in high demand. In general, importing can be 'quite difficult' he said. He added Pamboes has thankfully had few issues but acknowledged he had heard 'horror stories'. 'Border holds cost companies millions each year and it's not something you can really prepare for, it's almost a random check,' he said. 'We understand they have to keep our borders safe, but we pay taxes at the border. You would think part of those taxes we pay would cover ABF's work.' He said it hasn't put him off doing business as Pamboes moves into more fashionable blanket-wear and tries to sell off remaining stock in a winter sale.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Disturbing discovery inside man's luggage
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney International Airport have made a shocking discovery after sifting through the luggage of a young man as he attempted to enter the country. Australian Border Force agents found 22kg of meth inside a man's luggage. Supplied Credit: Supplied A 20-year-old French man was arrested by officers after they uncovered a 22kg stash of crystal methamphetamine inside his bags. After locating 22 vacuum-sealed bags of the substance, which are estimated to have a street value of more than $20m, the ABF handed over the investigation to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP charged the man with a pair of drug-trafficking-related offences, which individually carry maximum sentences of life in prison if convicted. The man has already appeared at the Downing Centre and will face court again on September 16. The street value of the bags was worth tens of millions of dollars. Supplied Credit: Supplied AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP were 'working closely' with overseas partners to disrupt drug supply chains. 'This is not a victimless crime. These drugs individuals carry fuel violence, addiction and organised crime in our communities,' he said. 'Every kilogram seized is a blow to the networks that profit from harm and a reminder that Australia is not an easy target.' AFP Superindendent Elke West said ABF officers were 'the first line of defence' when it cames to tackling drug smuggling. 'Working alongside our partner agencies, we are at the ready 24/7 to disrupt this criminal behaviour at the border, protecting our members of the community one detection at a time,' Superintendent West said.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
French man arrested after disturbing airport find
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney International Airport have made a shocking discovery after sifting through the luggage of a young man as he attempted to enter the country. A 20-year-old French man was arrested by officers after they uncovered a 22kg stash of crystal methamphetamine inside his bags. After locating 22 vacuum-sealed bags of the substance, which are estimated to have a street value of more than $20m, the ABF handed over the investigation to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP charged the man with a pair of drug-trafficking-related offences, which individually carry maximum sentences of life in prison if convicted. The man has already appeared at the Downing Centre and will face court again on September 16. AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP were 'working closely' with overseas partners to disrupt drug supply chains. 'This is not a victimless crime. These drugs individuals carry fuel violence, addiction and organised crime in our communities,' he said. 'Every kilogram seized is a blow to the networks that profit from harm and a reminder that Australia is not an easy target.' AFP Superindendent Elke West said ABF officers were 'the first line of defence' when it cames to tackling drug smuggling. 'Working alongside our partner agencies, we are at the ready 24/7 to disrupt this criminal behaviour at the border, protecting our members of the community one detection at a time,' Superintendent West said.
