NCA CAN'T BLOCK DRUG SMUGGLING

Australia's top level crime fighting body yesterday admitted it can't stop
drugs importation and lent its support to a heroin trial, with addicts
being supplied from a government store.

The National Crime Authority said unpalatable options had to be considered
to tackle the rising problem of drugs and organised crime.

Profits beyond the comprehension of many were fuelling a drug trade which
had spiralled since the 1980s, and most shipments slipped through
undetected, NCA chairman Gary Crooke said.

The reach of organised crime in Australia was pervasive, multi-faceted and
with enormous social and economic costs. Drugs remained the most lucrative
commodity for organised crime, he said.

The NCA called for a government-controlled heroin bank and for the
treatment of drug addiction as a health problem in a report Commentary on
Organised Crime 2000.

"Today there are no less greedy or unscrupulous people in our community,"
said Mr Crooke.

"However, the opportunities available to them to profit from criminal
activity have increased enormously.

"In broad terms, a person engaged in this filthy trade can bring drugs into
Australia . . . for something like $9000 a kilogram and sell them to a
dealer for $90,000 a kilo."

Mr Crooke said the NCA's job was hindered by differing laws across the
country, with crime fighters frustrated by different requirements in
different states.

"It's like the sheriff in the western movie, where he stops his horse at
the border and you see the baddies ride across the border and the sheriff
waving goodbye," he said.

Prime Minister John Howard late yesterday ruled out federal support for a
heroin trial while he was leader of the nation.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley would only state it could be considered under
a Labor government.

Mr Howard attacked the Opposition for offering qualified support to heroin
trials. "They are wrong and that will always be the position of this
Government," he said.

The NCA faced another blow last night when the Senate also vetoed plans for
an increase in crime fighting powers.