Sydney Airport customs officer Paul Katralis – who was arrested and charged by the task force in August this year with drug trafficking and bribery – is part of one of Australia’s most serious corruption scandals.
The allegedly corrupt customs officers’ at Sydney Airport have been importing drugs with organised crime figures for several years. The network is said to involve at least 15 officials, however, the number may be as high as 20.
They are suspected of being involved in serious misconduct or corruption, ranging from criminal association and leaking information to drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, money laundering and bribery.
Corrupt airport baggage handlers have also been allegedly involved in the investigation conducted by Fairfax Media. The allegedly corrupt cell has been operating since at least 2009 from the international passenger terminal and freight section and is suspected to have imported pseudoephedrine, cocaine, steroids and possibly weapons.
A range of well-placed sources, including figures at the airport, told Fairfax that the allegedly corrupt officers’ activities included: allowing drug-filled backpacks and luggage to pass freely through customs controls; allowing drug money to be smuggled through the airport and out of Australia to fund the resupply of drugs to be smuggled back through the airport; manipulating staff rosters and using CCTV black spots to allow corrupt activity, including drug trafficking, to go undetected.