ABF, ADF and WA Police among agencies involved in recent proactive patrol operation of Abrolhos Islands

Multiple agencies recently joined forces to patrol the Abrolhos Islands and connect with locals in a bid to establish “eyes and ears” on the remote island chain to help with their surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts. The highly visible operation involved personnel from the Australian Border Force, Australian Defence Force and WA Police Force as well as Marine Rescue volunteers from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Officers and volunteers patrolled the remote island group, gathering intelligence about the environment, communicating with multiple vessels and engaging with the local community and tourists. In September 2019, a one-tonne haul of drugs worth about $1 billion was discovered on the Abrolhos Islands after a vessel ran aground. Five men have been jailed over that bust. In 2017, ABF and its law enforcement partners made a then-record breaking seizure of 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine after a vessel arrived in the Geraldton port. ABF supervisor and officer in charge of the Geraldton district office Justin Donaldson said the ABF undertook operations in regional and remote areas to target drug smuggling. He said the community had an important role to play in protecting Australia’s borders as locals knew their environment and what seemed suspicious. “A key part of this patrol was engaging with the local community of fishermen. Our Border Watch program gives us eyes and ears in this remote location, 60 nautical miles off the WA coast and close to international shipping lanes,” Mr Donaldson said. “While each agency has their own goals and remits, this opportunity to learn from each other greatly enhances our common goal of protecting the Australian community, including in remote locations, from potential threats.” The patrol included visits to Big and Little Rat islands, the Pelsaert, Easter and Wallabi groups. “Historically there has been some attempted importation of large-scale narcotics into the Abrolhos Islands,” Mr Donaldson said. “That’s why it’s so important that we do visit these areas regularly and engage with the local stakeholders.” Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia’s borders is urged to report to Border Watch online at www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/border-watch.