Annual Report - COMPLETE - Australian Crime Commission

• a number of collaborative relationships with key stakeholders from the public and
private sectors were formed. This includes relationships with insurance agencies
and local car manufacturers, government agencies including ACS and partner
agencies.
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Smashing prime mover rebirthing operation in Queensland
A multi-jurisdictional vehicle rebirthing operation involving the ACC was awarded the
Australasian Branch of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigator’s 2004
Auto Theft Investigation of the Year.
ACC investigators and telecommunication interception and intelligence staff assisted
in the Queensland Police-led operation. The operation was successful in dismantling
an organised criminal network involved in rebirthing stolen prime movers and trailers.
Suspect properties were identified and 30 of 34 heavy vehicles reported stolen in
Queensland were eventually recovered. Twelve people were charged with 76 offences
and $1.7 million in property was restrained. Stolen goods, cars and other vehicles, a
small quantity of illicit drugs and unlicensed and stolen firearms were also seized.
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Use of the ACC’s coercive powers under the Vehicle Rebirthing Determination was
minimal as most vehicle rebirthing operations were conducted in collaboration with
partner law enforcement agencies not requiring use of the powers.
Table 3.3: Output 1.2 – Vehicle rebirthing use of coercive powers
Measure Total
s28 Examinations held 9
s29 Notices issued 5
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Vehicle Rebirthing media campaign
The Vehicle Rebirthing Special Intelligence Operation launched a national advertising
campaign on 21 January 2004 to gather information on organised vehicle theft and
vehicle rebirthing from the public and industry stakeholders. The campaign included
the use of industry and consumer magazines, websites and ethnic press specifically
targeting Arabic speakers. Responses from the public reporting criminal activity were
encouraging; and a number of disseminations were made to partner agencies with
the information that was received.
The ACC also sought submissions from manufacturers, insurance agencies,
registration bodies, industry bodies, law enforcement and government agencies as
part of its intelligence collection process into vehicle rebirthing. The submissions
46 I ACC ANNUAL REPORT 2003–04