POLICE INQUIRY LIKELY DESPITE BIG DRUG HAULS

THE Australian Federal Police will face a parliamentary inquiry
despite seizing record amounts of illicit drugs in the past year.

The AFP collected more than a ton (1161kg) of illegal drugs in
1999-00, but concern over staffing levels, morale and funding prompted
the inquiry.

Sources told The Sunday Telegraph 289 officers had left the force
between July 1999 and June 2000 because they were disillusioned over
budget cuts.

And it is understood the AFP is already between $20 million and $50
million over its budget this financial year.

But Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone says the the national
crime-fighting agency's record drug haul shows its good state.

The AFP annual report, which was tabled last week, shows amphetamines
had become Australia's favourite drug.

More than 234kg of amphetamines or "speed" was seized in the past year
and the AFP has predicted an explosion of the drug into Australia from
Asia.

The AFP said amphetamine supply would grow because of the "enormous
production rates" in Asia. But most of the speed on Australia's
streets last year was manufactured and imported from Europe.

Heroin (501kg) was still the number one drug menace, but the AFP
experienced a 7 per cent drop in seizures of that drug.

The Australian Federal Police also picked up a 164 per cent increase
in cocaine seizures.

This was because of a record haul of 501kg in February.

Other drugs seized by the AFP in the past financial year included 6kg
of hallucinogens (same as last year) and 33kg of cannabis (a 60 per
cent decrease).

Senator Vanstone said the record drug haul capped off a significant
year for the AFP.

"The AFP's success in drug detection and seizures is at an all time
high while at the same time it continues to target other areas of
criminal activity," Senator Vanstone said.

AFP Commissioner Mick Palmer said intelligence tip-offs from
international crime agencies were a major factor in the record number
of seizures.

But despite the record illegal drug haul, the AFP was "not yet
winning" the very tough fight against drugs, he said.

Opposition Justice spokesman Duncan Kerr said the Federal Police
should be congratulated for the record drug seizures.

Proceeds of crime were also targeted by the force last year with the
identification of $46.2 million, freezing of $13.1 million and the
recovery of $17.3 million in criminal assets.