Customs fighting smugglers

Press, 11 March 1983, Page 27

Customs fighting smugglers

PA Wellington Seizings of smuggled or illicit goods had increased 400 per cent in the last four years, the Minister of Customs. Mr K. R. Allen, told the Society of Customs Agents at Mangere yesterday. Opening the society's annual conference. Mr Allen said that the figures were in line with a world-wide trend, indicating an “anti-authority attitude" by the public. The Customs Department had taken steps to reduce smuggling and commercial fraud, both of which were on the increase, he said. The steps included a coast watch system that used people living in remote areas to report movements of boats and light aircraft. That would reinforce surveillance

at ports. Mr Allen said. Commercial fraud was sophisticated and wide-rang-ing, he said. To curb the importation of drugs and weapons, departmental officers had received special training by Australian customs officers in intelligence-processing techniques. Intelligence units had been set up in the department's head office in three regional ports. Mr Allen said he expected that with the up-to-date information these units would provide, there would be better allocation of staff to combat smuggling and commercial fraud. "Our growing concern about drugs and weapons importations makes it necessary to spread our eyes and ears." he said.