Friday, May 13, 2005

APS officer caught with drugs

The Sydney Morning Herald ran an AAP story today, about an APS officer who has been charged with drug possession after being busted for small amounts of amphetamines and cannabis, whilst travelling by train between Gosford and Tuggerah.

The case is due to be heard on June 14.

It was refreshing to hear Ray Cooper, a former senior AFP officer speak candidly on last week's Channel 9 Sunday program about investigations into officers working at airports suspected of drug smuggling being shut down by senior management.

"ROSS COULTHART: And he says his investigations ten years ago revealed corrupt police were involved with drug traffickers using airports to move drugs around the country.

RAY COOPER: There were some people in there that were protecting these people and I was told to go softly softly.

RAY COOPER: There were lots of allegations regarding various drug trafficking operations. And from time to time Police were linked to those operations. There were narcotics, particularly cannabis, being moved from airport to airport by syndicates, and the baggage handlers were playing a key role in it.

RAY COOPER: I think the leadership of the Federal Police were not capable or strong enough to conduct a thorough and honest and open investigation. They were afraid of their reputation. They wanted the World to believe they were the only police force in the World who didn't have corruption. They were naïve then and I believe that to some extent they are still naïve." Sunday 8/05/05 Transcript Schapelle Corby: A question of innocence

The story by Ross Coulthart, an award winning Australian investigative journalist, would have come as a considerable blow to AFP Media Office, left picking up the pieces of the AFP's public image, following such recent events as the Coronial Inquiry into the death of Gary Lee-Rogers, and criticism over the turning over of the Bali 9 to the Indonesian authorities.