Mexican cartels are ‘targeting’ Australian market with drugs and weapons. Bikies, Middle Eastern and Asian gangs are ‘buying products’ from cartels. University of Canberra report says cartel presence encourages turf wars. Drug importations have increased in NSW, with 58,000 offences last year.
Australia is reportedly the target of a new wave of drugs and weapons smuggling from Mexican cartels, with importations thought to be on the increase in New South Wales.
Cartels are targeting bikies, Middle Eastern and Asian organised crime gangs with their weapons and drugs because they can seek higher prices in Australia for their products, according to The Daily Telegraph.
More drugs and guns could encourage turf wars and drain resources from border protection agencies, according to the report.
‘They (Mexican cartels) have already established linkages in the Asia-Pacific and are attempting to expand these with a particular focus on penetrating the Australian market,’ Dr Anthea McCarthy-Jones of the University of Canberra reportedly said.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show drug importation offences have increased by 10.7 per cent annually for the past 10 years, with 58,000 offences issued last year.
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