“This reflects Australia’s broader commitment, championed continually through the AFP advisor’s work at the UN, to elevating Pacific policing within multilateral forums.”

Police seized nearly one million cigarettes, thousands of vapes and other illicit products, and froze $580,000 suspected to be crime proceeds during coordinated raids between February and June 2024.

Forensic analysis uncovered thousands of intimate images and videos, the personal credentials of other people, and records of fraudulent WiFi pages.

Barrett warned that Australia’s ongoing demand for illicit commodities — even amid cost-of-living pressures — was placing “significant pressure in our suburbs” and driving organised crime to use Pacific transit routes.

All three accused have been charged with one count of dishonestly gaining a benefit from a Commonwealth entity, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

Investigations are continuing into the overseas organised crime groups behind the failed importation.

The scammer cited a genuine-looking ReportCyber reference number and directed the victim to verify it online

The woman is described as being of Middle Eastern appearance, with long brown hair and a lisp.

“Criminal syndicates are exploiting young travellers who may not understand the risks of importing border-controlled drugs into Australia, all for their own financial gain.”

“Large-scale data poisoning has the potential to slow the rise of AI-generated harmful content, helping police focus on rescuing real children from harm.”