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Airport Security
Hi All
As an Aussie I'm not happy about displaying our own shortcomings, but I suspect this report is only indicative of problems that spread well beyond our own borders. Maybe it is only local, but it certainly means that I will be ensuring that in future I: Don't check anything I can't afford to lose; Always use cable ties to seal my checked luggage; and Always immediately inform someone in authority if I notice those seals are broken before I reach an inspection point. An excerpt from "The Australian" yesterday (see http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...55E601,00.html for the full report): " Airport staff 'smuggling drugs' Martin Chulov and Jonathan Porter May 31, 2005 WORKERS at the nation's largest airport, including baggage handlers with high-level security clearances, have been involved in drug-smuggling and stealing from passengers, according to a classified Customs report that also suggests staff pose a terrorism threat. A probe by investigators into airport workers from toilet cleaners to pilots has found evidence of alleged criminal conspiracies between groups of employees with access to the most secure areas of Sydney airport. The report, obtained by The Australian, details serious security breaches and illegal activity by baggage handlers, air crew, ramp and trolley workers, security screeners and cleaners. It says baggage handlers have diverted bags containing large amounts of narcotics from incoming international flights to domestic baggage carousels, sometimes changing baggage tags, to avoid Customs examination. "Baggage handlers are suspected of large-scale pillage and may use the roof area to gain illegal entry to passenger baggage," the report says. The roster system makes it easy for baggage handlers to get their "mates" working in the same gang, it says." Cheers, Alan, Australia |
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"Alan S" wrote in message ... Hi All As an Aussie I'm not happy about displaying our own shortcomings, but I suspect this report is only indicative of problems that spread well beyond our own borders. Maybe it is only local, but it certainly means that I will be ensuring that in future I: Don't check anything I can't afford to lose; Always use cable ties to seal my checked luggage; and Always immediately inform someone in authority if I notice those seals are broken before I reach an inspection point. An excerpt from "The Australian" yesterday (see http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...55E601,00.html for the full report): " Airport staff 'smuggling drugs' Martin Chulov and Jonathan Porter May 31, 2005 WORKERS at the nation's largest airport, including baggage handlers with high-level security clearances, have been involved in drug-smuggling and stealing from passengers, according to a classified Customs report that also suggests staff pose a terrorism threat. A probe by investigators into airport workers from toilet cleaners to pilots has found evidence of alleged criminal conspiracies between groups of employees with access to the most secure areas of Sydney airport. The report, obtained by The Australian, details serious security breaches and illegal activity by baggage handlers, air crew, ramp and trolley workers, security screeners and cleaners. It says baggage handlers have diverted bags containing large amounts of narcotics from incoming international flights to domestic baggage carousels, sometimes changing baggage tags, to avoid Customs examination. "Baggage handlers are suspected of large-scale pillage and may use the roof area to gain illegal entry to passenger baggage," the report says. The roster system makes it easy for baggage handlers to get their "mates" working in the same gang, it says." Cheers, Alan, Australia If you can, I suggest anyone traveling into or out of Australia bring carry on luggage only. Or risk 10 or 20, life in goal or even the death penalty until all airport security is updated. If you thought terrorism was a problem this is much worse. At least if someone plants a bomb on a plane, that's it, you're dead. A lot better than spending the rest of your life in a stinking Asian goal living on nasi goreng. Chika Honda a young Japanese tourist arrived in Australia after a stop over in Malaysia in 1992. During their stop over their luggage, which had been left in the businessman's van, which had been stolen while they were having dinner. The businessman was very apologetic, and the following morning gave each of them replacement suitcases. They found heroin in the suitcase when she arrived in Melbourne. She did 10 years There was a letter in last Saturday's Melbourne Age that succinctly described their situation: Pity Schapelle - but remember the 'Japanese Five' Date: May 27 2005 With Schapelle Corby's verdict looming, the Australian public is preparing to be outraged at the injustice of the Indonesian judicial system. However, we should reflect on our own treatment of non-Australians arrested for apparent drug trafficking in our own country. I refer to the group of Japanese tourists who were arrested at Melbourne Airport in 1992. Where were all of the voices screaming for justice when this tragic case unfolded? The group's nightmare began with a holiday that they claimed had been organised by a Malaysian businessman who had given it as a gift. The trip, they said, was to be a way of compensation for a car accident in which one of the group members, Yoshio Katsuno, had been involved while on a business trip to Kuala Lumpur. Yoshio had spent two weeks in hospital in KL, and accepting this gift from was not an unusual matter in both cultures. The businessman suggested that Yoshio arrange a group of friends to travel with him. According to their story, Yoshio and the rest of the group were instructed to meet the businessman in Kuala Lumpur the day before they were to travel to Australia. He met them at the airport and took them out to dinner that evening. Their luggage, which had been left in the businessman's van, had been stolen while they were having dinner. The businessman was very apologetic, and the following morning gave each of them replacement suitcases - a gesture which was interpreted as an act of kindness. Unknown to them - so they claimed - the new suitcases had false bottoms that contained, in total, 13 kilograms of heroin. When the group touched down at Melbourne Airport the authorities were waiting for them. They had been tipped off to a large drug haul that was entering the country. The group was taken in and interrogated with none of them comprehending the gravity of their situation because they did not speak a word of English. Their supporters claim that they were not provided with competent interpreters at the time of the police interviews. This resulted in the case being weighted very heavily against them when it came to their trial. Five of the group were arrested and charged with drug trafficking and two returned home because their suitcases did not contain any drugs. Four of them served 10 years and one remains in prison, due to be released in 2006. It has been suggested that the authorities were tipped off about the group of Japanese tourists in order to allow another bigger drug haul to enter the country. Whatever the real story is, we cannot escape the fact that these people were dealt with in a way that would make Australians scream for justice if it was one of their own. To assume that possession equals ownership is quite obviously not peculiar to the Indonesian judicial system. We can feel outrage for Schapelle - but we should remember the adage about people in glass houses not throwing stones. -- Caitriona Prendergast, Black Rock |
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