Customs Watch

We are the eyes and ears of Australia

Due to Government cutbacks and restrictions, Australian Customs Service now relies more heavily on the general public to report anything, which is out of the usual?

To facilitate this, they have started Customs Watch, which basically allows people to report information to an 1800 telephone number.

The bad guys usually like to use places, which are a little bit out of the way to carry on their activities.

Four-wheel drivers, like the bad guys, also like to get a little bit out of the way to carry on their activities. So it is part of our responsibility to report anything, which looks out of the ordinary either to the police, or Customs should we come across it. Remember, report items immediately. If it gets left for three weeks before you say anything, it’s unlikely anything will be able to be done about it. The more immediate the action, the more likely it is there will be a result. Any information you give can be given anonymously, but it is probably better to give your details, as then you will be able to get some feed back on what it was you saw. Local knowledge can go a long way towards deterring bad guys. Such things as unusual shipping movements, suspicious behaviour, traps, caches or campsites in unlikely places could all be indications that the bad guys are doing their thing. You know what is right and wrong in your area. All information can add to the bigger picture. The bad guys are not just interested in bringing drugs into Australia. They are also keen to export our native plants and wildlife, which fetch big bucks on the black market overseas. As well, they are not averse to bringing in illegal immigrants and plundering our fishing grounds. If you sight any vehicles, aircraft or ships acting suspiciously, try and remember any details, which may help to identify them later eg. Single or double masted yacht, Holden, Landrover or Mitsubishi (It wouldn’t be a Toyota. We don’t let bad guys drive ‘em).

If you see something out of the ordinary,

Phone Customs on 1800 06 1800.