Raising concerns from First Nations leaders in the Torres Strait and Bamaga, she said there was growing alarm about increased youth drug use linked to trafficking through the region.
“Hiding behind a keyboard or phone does not mean you are anonymous and out of the AFP’s reach – we have the resources and technology to find you and bring you before the courts.”
AFP warned that profits from large-scale drug importations could also be used to fund politically motivated crimes or terrorism, contributing to instability across the region.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched an investigation in October 2022 after an airline reported suspicious activity near the cargo area of a Sydney-bound flight departing Johannesburg, South Africa.
Opening her address at Senate Estimates on Wednesday evening, Commissioner Barrett said it was the AFP’s first appearance since the Bondi Beach terrorist attack on 14 December 2025, which remains the subject of an active criminal investigation and a Royal Commission.
These scams, which combine emotional manipulation with financial deception, unfold quickly and convincingly, often preying on vulnerable individuals navigating major life changes.
Chris Rua Antony died in hospital on February 20, a week after he was struck by a car while walking home from school along Pound Road in Narre Warren South.
Many senior Hamas leaders have lived for years in luxury abroad, in places such as Qatar and elsewhere, far removed from the consequences of the war they help direct.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek described Ramadan nights in Lakemba as one of Sydney’s great traditions, pointing to the bustling streets and strong sense of community.
