The country's top policing intelligence agencies have been warning for at least a year that bikie gangs have moved onto Australia's docks. Mr Lawler said, "Nineteen of these 39 (outlaw motorcycle groups) have a presence in New South Wales. The ACC has uncovered infiltration of some industries such as the security and the maritime industry by outlaw motorcycle groups."
Opposition Justice spokeswoman Sussan Ley says the nation's ports have too many security holes, making it easier for biker gangs to smuggle drugs and guns into the country. "It is certainly the case that outlaw bikers are known for trafficking amphetamines and they have links with their organisations overseas. Guns are smuggled, often inside engine blocks covered with sump oil. Very difficult to be picked up by X-ray and you know, in an airport the individual is carrying the goods in a container. The individual can step right back and so sometimes it is not possible to find who has actually carried out the importation."
Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes raised the infiltration of organised crime in the State's ports last year in New South Wales Parliament. On 26 November 2008, Dr Moyes asked the following question to the Minister:
"My question without notice is directed to the Treasurer on behalf of the Minister for Ports and Waterways. Is the Minister aware of the recent finding by the NSW Crime Commission that ports are infiltrated by organised crime? In particular, is the Minister aware of its annual report tabled in Parliament, which stated:
The porosity of the ports remains an issue and criminal involvement in activity around entry points is a continuing factor. In particular, persons working in baggage and freight handling, stevedoring, transportation, and related industries are known to include criminals and persons with criminal connections.
Given the Minister's enhanced power over the commercial operations of the State's ports, can the Minister indicate what stringent measures will be established to ensure that security is continually being improved in the State's four major ports and ensure that persons employed in the port supply chain have no links to organised crime?"
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