The AFP is showcasing for the first time its highly skilled Target Development Team (TDT), which gathers intelligence on some of Australia's highest-ranking criminals and develops strategies to apprehend them onshore or overseas.
The team has assessed, identified, and profiled hundreds of criminal profiles since its inception in 2000, with its work playing a significant role in dozens of major AFP operations, ranging from large-scale drug importations to disrupting commercial cannabis farming.
The TDT plays a crucial role in providing the AFP with insights into local and international crime trends, emerging issues, identifying high-value targets, and engaging with key law enforcement partners and private industry stakeholders.
The AFP's Target Development Team based in Southern Command, which is predominantly responsible for Victoria and Tasmania, in the past 24 months, has:
· Identified five priority targets and three trusted insiders allegedly involved in drug importations; and
· Helped in more than 20 arrests.
The team's work has enabled the seizure of more than 585kg of methamphetamine, 253kg of heroin, 350kg of cocaine, 70kg of cannabis, and $895,000 cash. It has also helped the AFP restrain assets worth more than $21 million.
In July 2023, the TDT identified three men allegedly involved in coordinating and facilitating a 174kg ketamine importation, which was the largest seizure of ketamine in Australia at the time.
In February 2023, the team's analysis of significant amounts of electronic data coupled with a review of historical drug importations was critical in an investigation that led to a Melbourne couple being sentenced to effective terms of 22 years' and 13 years' jail for their role in importing $55 million worth of illicit drugs into Australia.
Target development involves identifying criminal syndicates, methodologies and trends and using that information to significantly impact the criminal environment.
Once identified, the specialised intelligence team develops strategies and works with investigators to disrupt, prosecute and prevent criminal activity, helping to keep Australians safe. TDT members come from a variety of diverse backgrounds, which ensures the team has the skills to consider every possible angle when identifying trends, issues and targets.
Team members who join this specialised intelligence arm of the AFP are highly skilled investigators with an ability to develop innovative investigation strategies to target crime figures who are aware of traditional policing methods and employ counter measures to avoid detection from law enforcement.
AFP Detective Superintendent Raymond Imbriano said the Target Development Team relied on a variety of complex and sophisticated law enforcement methods and techniques to identify and apprehend offenders.
"There is no set formula for identifying and arresting criminals, and the job is different every day," Det-Supt Imbriano said.
"The team's success relies on thinking outside of the box and being innovative with their investigation strategies."
Detective Superintendent Imbriano said that the TDT's core skills included surveillance, the ability to recruit and manage informants and developing undercover operations.
"The job can be mentally challenging at times because we are dealing with experienced criminals, many of whom are well versed in policing tactics," he said.
"Our members love the challenge and thrive on developing creative strategies to identify and prosecute top-tier offenders.
"Our team is proud to play a role in disrupting and dismantling criminal ventures by sharing intelligence with domestic and international partners."
