Australian Gang Employs Slot Machines to Transport Drugs and Weapons from the US
A term usually associated with gambling machines has taken on a different meaning in Australia. Two men from Melbourne, believed to be part of a major criminal group, were detained by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on suspicion of smuggling firearms and drugs hidden in slot machines into the country.
On August 16th, as mentioned in a press release from the AFP, Operation Chandrila led to the arrest of Ralph Sapin (37 years old) from Tarneit and Sime Govic (30 years old) from Altona North. This development came about due to vital information shared by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the AFP in June.
The AFP's statement disclosed that they found suspicious packages containing parts of firearms in inspected shipments that entered Australia. This led to an inquiry that uncovered four attempts to illegally import firearms and drugs into the country over a period of three months.
Taking Chances with Slot Machines
During an executed search warrant, authorities discovered proof linked to Govic. Aside from finding counterfeit IDs and 100 grams of methamphetamine within slot machines and electronic games, they also seized live ammunition from his residence and vehicle.
The commercial warehouse of Truganini in Brooklyn, New South Wales, was also raided by the officers. They discovered roughly 20-30 kg of a drug precursor there, as well as a rifle magazine and a box of .223 ammunition.
Govic is charged with illegally importing firearms, unlawful firearm ownership, possession of drug-related items, and forgery of official documents. Sapin is accused of involvement in large-scale drug transactions, possessing precursor chemicals, and acquiring stolen goods. Both could spend up to ten years in prison. They made their first court appearances and are expected to stand trial later this year.
Australia's Tough-On-Crime Stance
Australian lawmakers are intensifying their efforts against gambling, responding to complaints that locals spend too much of their own money on slots. Some argue that their efforts should instead focus on illegal drug trade.
Recent statistics from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) show that Australia has the highest per capita consumption of methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, worldwide. Out of 24 leading nations, Australia ranked first in per capita ice usage.
Last year's ACIC report, which analyzed drug usage trends in Australia through wastewater monitoring, indicated that ice, cocaine, and MDMA (known as Ecstasy or Molly) dominated the domestic market. Conversely, the consumption of heroin and cannabis experienced a substantial decrease during the last six months of the year. During the same period, ice, cocaine, and MDMA usage surpassed regional levels for the first time since April 2017.
Law enforcement agencies in Australia continue to vigorously battle against organized crime and related activities to ensure public safety and a crime-free nation.
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Source: www.casino.org
