People-smuggler sentenced to five years
Joint Media Release with the Hon Bob Debus - Minister for Home Affairs
Tuesday 2 September 2008
The Australian Government today welcomed the five-year sentence in the Northern Territory Supreme Court imposed on high-level people-smuggling organiser Olong Achmad.
Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus said the man’s sentencing followed a lengthy People Smuggling Strike Team (PSST) operation related to the smuggling of 353 people by boat from Indonesia to Australia.
The joint Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) PSST worked closely with Thai authorities in securing the 42-year-old Indonesian’s arrest and extradition. Achmad was extradited from Thailand in January 2008.
‘The nature of people smuggling makes it difficult to catch those who risk people’s lives and profit from this reprehensible crime,’ Mr Debus said.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said people smuggling is an abhorrent crime. ‘To exploit vulnerable people during times of desperation demonstrates a callous disregard for the law and for humanity,’ Senator Evans said.
Achmad’s conviction relates to the arrival of a boat at Ashmore Reef in November 1999 carrying 353 unlawful non-citizens. A warrant was issued for the his arrest in relation to facilitating the bringing into Australia of a group of five or more people, knowing they would become, upon entry to Australia, unlawful non-citizens, contrary to section 232A of the Migration Act 1958.
The maximum penalty for these offences is 20 years’ imprisonment.
Senator Evans said the Government’s ongoing commitment to border security was firm and resolute.
‘People-smuggling undermines Australia’s borders and the integrity of its immigration system and the Government will continue to take robust measures to deal with unauthorised boat arrivals,’ Senator Evans said.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08083.htm
Last update: 02 September 2008 at 16:57 AEST