Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have conducted a week-long operation across the Eyre Peninsula, as part of an ongoing presence in remote communities to protect the South Australian border from illicit drugs.
ABF surveillance patrols were conducted on both land and sea from Streaky Bay to Ceduna, where officers gathered intelligence and spoke to remote communities about the crucial role locals have in protecting the border.
This included a briefing with the District Council of Ceduna Mayor and Chief Executive Officer with an on-board demonstration of the capabilities of ABF's Limestone Coast vessel, as well as a briefing with representatives from the Streaky Bay Council.
ABF Acting Chief Superintendent Alex Kelsall said the ABF had a vast reach across the South Australian coastline, including district offices in Port Pirie and Port Lincoln, as well as the Port of Adelaide.
"Our mission is to detect and disrupt criminal activity targeting South Australia's border, to deter criminal syndicates who are seeking to import harmful illicit drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin," Acting Chief Superintendent Kelsall said.
"We work closely with our law enforcement partners, including the South Australian Police and the Australian Federal Police, as well as port authorities and local government to help make the coastline a hostile environment for criminals.
"Our officers are highly adept at conducting extensive land and sea patrols along South Australia's coastline as this recent operation has demonstrated."
Acting Chief Superintendent Kelsall said locals in the remote communities throughout the Eyre Peninsula also had important role to play in protecting the coastal border.
"Ceduna is the region's second largest shipping port," Acting Chief Superintendent Kelsall said.
"Locals in remote communities know what looks out of place or not quite right, even if it is just someone trying to launch a boat where they clearly don't know what they are doing or understand the local conditions.
"We can't be everywhere all the time, so locals in remote communities are our eyes and ears. It is also important to remember, one small observation could help stop a much larger border crime."
Reports can be made to Border Watch online at www.abf.gov.au/borderwatch. They can be made anonymously.
