Brisbane Maritime Union executive accused of helping drug smugglers

BRISBANE Maritime Union official Dave Perry, who took part in Australian port security meetings, is accused of helping smuggle A$170 million (US$137 million) of illicit drugs into Australia, according to the Brisbane Times and the Melbourne Age.

The former Queensland branch secretary is alleged to have provided smugglers information. Perry denies impropriety, has a commonwealth maritime security pass and attended the meetings of the state government-owned Port of Brisbane's security committee. The committee includes government and police officials and develops port security assessments and plans.

The airing in court of allegations by a crown prosecutor that Perry was regarded by a drugs boss as "a reliable, independent source of information" comes after revelations that a three-year Australian Crime Commission (ACC) inquiry found that gangs are exploiting security gaps at docks and airports.

The ACC has turned up 349 reports and intelligence briefs on criminal activity at ports and 86 reports in the country's airports.

Source: News and Data Online