POLICE SMASH DRUGS GANG

In a joint operation with police in Holland, Australian Federal Police have
smashed an international crime syndicate believed to be importing
amphetamines into Australia.

In a coordinated action, authorities in Holland executed a total of 57
warrants on Wednesday and several properties were searched in Perth and
Brisbane.

In Holland 14 people have been arrested and 200,000 ecstasy pills -
believed to have been destined for Australia - have been seized, along with
3000 kilograms of cannabis, firearms and a large amount of cash.

Australian federal agent Paul Jevtovic said the 15-month operation was also
responsible for two of Australia's largest seizures of ecstasy in January,
one of more than 50kilograms. He said investigations into the Australian
arm of the syndicate were still continuing.

"The role that we had to play with the Netherlands was predominantly our
continual intelligence flow between the two countries," Agent Jevtovic said.

"The AFP strategy is to go direct to the source country and work with them
to try to stop the narcotics coming to our shores."

The operation, now in its final stages, began in October last year, when
Australian Federal Police became aware of a crime syndicate arranging to
send amphetamines to Australia hidden in machinery parts.

Agent Jevtovic said more arrests in both Holland and Australia were
expected in the coming weeks.

Customs Minister Amanda Vanstone yesterday said that information provided
to Dutch authorities by the AFP after the two ecstasy seizures in January
played a significant role in the latest arrests in Holland.

"The seizure in Holland has disrupted what is alleged to be a sophisticated
drug syndicate and prevented a substantial amount of amphetamines reaching
our streets," Senator Vanstone said.