Controlled deliveries Flashcards
Powers involved in controlled deliveries
Under Section 12 of Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 1978, Customs Officers have power to undertake a controlled delivery. Police assist, make the arrest and conduct the prosecution.
Methods of importation
International Mail Centre - Inside a mail article
International Airport - Arriving courier using either body packing, internal concealment or concealed within luggage.
Imported Air Freight - Within a freight consignment which can be either commercial or private
Imported Sea Freight - As with air freight but arrives via the sea
Transhipped air or sea freight - Transiting through New Zealand with a final destination in another country.
Arriving commercial vessel - Hidden on board or attached to a vessel that is either unloading or picking up cargo from New Zealand before continuing onto another country.
Two options for deliveries
1 - Clean delivery - No drugs are left within the consignment. Eliminates risk of drugs being lost. Gives more freedom in organising the surveillance of the consignment and reduces the risk of alarming the targets. At termination of operation, only importation and conspiracy charges are likely to be filed.
2 - Leave an amount of the drug within the consignment to enable the option of charging the offender with possession for supply. Provides emergency powers should the drugs move to persons or places not covered by search warrants. Remainder of drugs are substituted. Any consignment with drugs still in requires greater security.
Profiling the package
Consider the sender details, in particular:
- Any phone number attached to the package or accompanying documentation
- IMIE/SIM information undertaken at early stage (Call data)
- telecommunications service providers portability of cell phones
- DNA / fingerprinting / handwriting / impressions / mechanical fit
- multiple packages, including dummy runs to target addresses
Profile the delivery address
Consider:
- occupants
- local council - owner/rate payer details
- rubbish delivery date and time
- council plans of street and address
- electricity/gas suppliers to the address
Profile the addressee
Consider:
- Previous occupiers
- real or false name
- connections to delivery address
- relevant convictions and notings etc
- travel/connections to country of origin
What to consider when trying to set up an OP
Ideally use staff or staffs families who live in the area. Otherwise:
- Camera OP requirements versus intercept requirements
- whether SDW required
- staff having to occupy the OP
Profiling potential OP address and occupants
Consider for address:
- Proximity to target address
- unobstructed line of sight to target address
- Access to and from address without arousing suspicion
- ability to beam signals and or tap into telecom cables
- phone lines available in street
Consider for occupant:
- NIA checks
- Employment
- Credit checks
- power account
What to consider when approaching occupants for an OP
- Cover story
- protection of identity
- room available with 24 hour access
- preferably no children
- no visitors
- gratuity at the end of the operation
Methods of delivery (once intercepted)
- Re-introduce into postal system for delivery
- Delivery by a courier company
- Police / Customs staff pose as postie/courier
- Consider recording the interaction
- If delivery to PO box, consider an opening device and camera on the box
