National Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Strategy Background Paper

140
• Stealing from motor vehicle decreased by 24.8%;
• Robbery with a weapon other than a firearm decreased by 7.1%;
• Robbery without a weapon decreased by 4.9%; and,
• Weapons offences in general decreased by 19.2%.
Data from the NSW Recorded Crime Statistics for the years 2000-2006 in narcotics
and cocaine possession/use and dealing/trafficking, and over the period 2002-2006 for
amphetamine and MDMA possession/use and dealing/trafficking within fourteen Sydney
NSW police statistical divisions, identify considerable variations across these divisions
in terms of history of drug use and prevalence. However, trends and patterns emerging
for the Fairfield-Liverpool statistical divisions in which Cabramatta is located, suggest in
the absence of other evidence, that the interventions of the anti-drug strategy influenced
patterns and trends in supply, distribution and use with regard to narcotics, cocaine and
MDMA. The success of the interventions over time is less evident with regard to criminal
incidents recorded for amphetamine.
International collaborations
The AFP has an extensive network of out-posted AFP Liaison Officers in 28 countries and
collaborates with international partners through a range of mechanisms. This includes the
activities of the Law Enforcement Co-operation Program (LECP), which focuses on building
partnerships with overseas law enforcement agencies and the provision of precursor and
clandestine laboratory investigative assistance to international police agencies. The AFP
has also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Combating Transnational Crime
and Enhancing Cooperation with various international law enforcement agencies.
Australian Customs uses its network of international representatives to progress policy
and operational initiatives in relation to ATS and their precursors. Australia has bilateral
agreements with a number of overseas Customs administrations to enhance the exchange
of information related to Customs activities including ATS-related matters. Customs provided
illicit drug and explosive precursor detection and handling training to Indonesia Customs in
2005 and other law enforcement agencies in Malaysia and Philippines during 2006.
Project PRISM is an international project aimed at preventing the diversion of chemical
precursors used in the manufacture of ATS. The International Narcotics Control Board of
the United Nations coordinates the project and Customs is the central national authority
for Australia’s participation. Customs is also a member of the Project PRISM Task Force,
the governing body of the Project. In this capacity, Customs acts as the regional focal
point for Oceania.
The South Pacific Precursor Control Forum (SPPCF) was initiated by Australia in 2007.
It aims to contribute to preventing the manufacture of ATS and the diversion of precursor
chemicals into illicit drug manufacture in the Pacific region. An agreement was reached
between members to examine their existing precursor regulations as well as investigate
their capacity for information sharing, forensic capability, technical assistance, public
awareness and education. In the long term, it was agreed that the SPPCF should develop