DYLAN WELCH NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT

27 Nov, 2010 03:00 AM

http://www.launcestontimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/new-police-plan-aims-to-tackle-organised-crime/2009733.aspx

Amphetamines, money laundering and identity crime are law enforcement priorities, says the federal minister responsible for fighting organised crime.

The announcement is the latest step in a crime policy announced in November last year, and is designed to encourage greater co-operation and integration between crime agencies.

The Home Affairs Minister, Brendan O'Connor, announced the plan, officially labelled the organised crime response plan, yesterday. He was accompanied by the Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Tony Negus.

Drawing on information from the peak criminal intelligence body, the Australian Crime Commission, the response plan targeted illicit drugs, money laundering and identity theft as the three areas that would attract the lion's share of government resources.

''Illicit drug-making and importation is the primary source of income for all serious and organised crime,'' Mr O'Connor said.

''So every time we seize large quantities of illicit drugs, we cut the money flow, and money is the lifeblood of organised crime.''

He said operations involving several federal and state agencies had led to the seizure of more than a tonne of illicit drugs and chemical precursors so far this year. Arrests had been made for the importation of drugs, tax fraud, people smuggling and money laundering.

The response plan is the second tier of the government's organised crime policy. It comes after the announcement of a $14.5 million Crime Commission ''fusion'' centre, which aims to use the talents of various crime agencies to combat organised crime.

The fusion centre is staffed by officers from several state and six Commonwealth agencies - including the federal police, the money laundering unit, AusTrac and the Taxation Office.

The centre is designed to detect dubious cash transactions, crime patterns and corporate structures with crime links.