Media release

Say Something Campaign

Police

375 Arrests in National Police Operation against Amphetamines and Organised Crime.

Police also seized 23 firearms and over $140,000 in cash during the operation - codenamed Operation Unification.

Locally, the 'Say Something' phone-in day resulted in 28 calls to Crime Stoppers in the Territory, leading to the seizure of amphetamines and cannabis.

Superintendent of the Territory Drug and Organised Crime Division, Matt Hollamby, said the campaign was a success.

"The response to the campaign gives an indication of the level of concern within the community over illicit drug use and distribution." Superintendent Hollamby said.

The Chair of the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency Crime Forum and Western Australia Police Assistant Commissioner, Nick Anticich, today said that the operation has struck a significant blow to organised drug syndicates across the country.

Mr Anticich was reporting on the outcomes of the joint Police, Crime Stoppers and ANZPAA Crime Forum 'Say Something' phone-in day on Friday 19 November. Members of the public were encouraged to ring Crime Stoppers with any information about the manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs, especially amphetamines.

All Australian police jurisdictions participated in the national operation. Mr Anticich said that police working together across jurisdictions is vital to addressing organised crime.

Overall Crime Stoppers received over 900 phone calls as a result of the Operation. Acting on information from the phone calls, 12 clandestine laboratories were identified, netting over 8kg of amphetamines, 20kgs of cannabis, 75.01g of heroin and 13.4g of cocaine.

"The results are significant. Over 28 kilograms of drugs have been taken off the streets, but more significantly, we have halted the production of 12 laboratories that had the potential to put even more dangerous drugs into our communities," Mr Anticich says.

Research suggests that 90 per cent of Australia's manufacture and dealing of amphetamines is run by organised crime groups.

"Organised crime groups, including gangs, are profiting at the expense of our communities. This is why Police Commissioners from all jurisdictions across Australia undertook this campaign to help attack this national social issue," says Mr Anticich.

Mr Anticich thanked the many callers to the Crime Stoppers hotline which resulted in so many arrests.

"The level of public participation in this campaign is reassuring to police. Solving crimes requires a 'whole-of-community' approach. Seeking public assistance via anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers is just one of many tools we use to help fight organised crime," Mr Anticich says.

The Chairman of Crime Stoppers Australia Mr Tony Carter also thanked all Australians who contacted the Crime Stoppers hotline.

"This campaign has clearly demonstrated the value of Australian law enforcement and all Crime Stoppers programs collaborating in a national campaign. The results speak for themselves," says Mr Carter.

"The day to day effective partnerships between police and Crime Stoppers in each state and territory provided the platform for success in this campaign," added Mr Carter. "We look forward to the next national campaign and naturally, further success as we broaden the fight against organised crime".

A number of investigations will continue as a result of the successful phone-in day.

Media Contact
Michael Holland
8922 3365
0437 293 609