The AFP has charged three foreign nationals for allegedly conspiring to collect and conceal a group of unlawful maritime arrivals who arrived in Western Australia in April 2024.
A man, 26, and two women, aged 54 and 32, were arrested in Sydney yesterday (Thursday 22 August, 2024).
They are expected to appear before Dowing Centre Local Court today (Friday 23 August, 2024) to each face one count of conspiracy to conceal non-citizens, contrary to section 233E(2) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) by virtue of section 11.5 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
It will be alleged the trio were linked to an attempted people smuggling venture in early April 2024.
AFP Commander Counter People Smuggling Melinda Phelan, who heads the Disruption and Deterrence Task Group within the Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB), said an all-agency approach and coordination was necessary to stop people smugglers.
"The Task Force is part of a whole-of-government approach to tackling the unlawful activities of people smugglers who willingly place the lives of others at risk, for their own financial gain," Commander Phelan said.
"The AFP is warning members of the community to not encourage, or facilitate, unlawful ventures to Australia.
"There are serious penalties for these offences, including significant jail time."
