Drug taskforce bill tops $2m
EXCLUSIVE
By GEOFF WILKINSON
28may03
THE cost of the taskforce investigating drug-related corruption in the
Victoria Police has passed $2 million and the meter is still
running.
Police figures show the bill for the Ceja taskforce is likely to pass $5
million by the end of the year.
But the officer overseeing the taskforce's work said yesterday it was
money well spent.
Assistant Commissioner for Ethical Standards Noel Perry said the cost of
the taskforce was a sound investment to investigate improper and criminal
behaviour.
Documents obtained by the Herald Sun under FoI show that the Ceja
taskforce's operating costs for the seven months to the end of February
were $1.64 million.
A further $317,000 had already been spent in the initial
intelligence-gathering phase of the investigation, between January and
July last year.
A big increase in the number of investigators on the taskforce since
February is expected to boost its costs to between $300,000 and $350,000
a month.
The taskforce strength jumped to more than 50 this year when Chief
Commissioner Christine Nixon agreed to add another 20 staff, including
financial analysts.
More than 80 allegations of criminal behaviour are believed to be being
investigated by the Ceja taskforce. Most involve former members of the
drug squad.
Investigations are centred around drug squad operations between
1998-2001.
Ceja investigations have delayed at least a dozen major drug
prosecutions, which have been adjourned until taskforce inquiries are
completed.
The Office of Public Prosecutions is unwilling to proceed with those
cases until police involved in them have been cleared of allegations that
may be used against them in court.
Several alleged drug importers and traffickers have been released on bail
because of the long delays likely before their cases can be heard.
A magistrate was told last Friday that the case against alleged
billion-dollar drug boss Antonios Mokbel could now proceed because police
involved had been cleared of wrongdoing.
Mr Mokbel was freed on bail with a $1 million surety last September after
spending almost a year in custody while the drug squad corruption probe
delayed his prosecution.
His assets, reportedly worth about $20 million, were frozen after his
arrest on drug charges related to an alleged $2 billion drug ring.
Documents obtained by the Herald Sun show that the Ceja taskforce
had 36 members during the stage two investigation phase between July 29
last year and the end of February this year.
A report obtained under FoI said stage two "required significant
investment in equipment and technology in support of all facets of the
operation".
Salaries, allowances and overtime costs during the seven-month period
were $1,234,924.
Plant and equipment costs were $245,024 and discretionary operating
expenses totalled $165,984.
The total bill at March 5 this year was $1,963,146.
Assistant Commissioner Perry said the force was committed to the
taskforce.
"This is a complex and thorough investigation involving specialist
investigators and forensic accountants," Mr Perry said.
"Considerable resources have been assigned to this taskforce.
"The investigation, detection and prosecution of corrupt members is
critical to the reputation of the force.
"It also maintains an operation standard within the force
itself."
The taskforce's work is being overseen by senior assistant ombudsman
Brian Hardiman, who has been involved in police complaints investigation
by the ombudsman's office since 1988.
Mr Hardiman took over the management of serious misconduct allegations
against police after State Ombudsman Dr Barry Perry suffered a severe
stroke last month.
Dr Perry is still seriously ill in the Alfred Hospital. The acting
ombudsman in his absence is his former deputy, Bob Seamer.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,6504659^661,00.html
