What's been fantastic over the last 12 or more months to catch up with our friends from Crime Stoppers Victoria. We have a new chum along with us today, Brad Swain. Brad, great to meet you. Thanks for your time.

What's been fantastic over the last 12 or more months to catch up with our friends from Crime Stoppers Victoria. We have a new chum along with us today, Brad Swain. Brad, great to meet you. Thanks for your time.

My pleasure. And nice to have a chat to you today.

My pleasure. And nice to have a chat to you today.

It's a very serious topic that we're talking about, illicit drug campaign that you've just launched.

It's a very serious topic that we're talking about, illicit drug campaign that you've just launched.

Yeah, that's right. So illicit drugs in Australia have an impact on almost every family. So we know that 1 in 10 people across the country have been a victim of an illicit drug related incident or indirectly through the significant, significant health and social costs to the community. It's a it's a major issue. And so Crime Stoppers have launched a campaign in collaboration with the federal government and law enforcement across Australia to try and encourage people to come forward who have information about this illegal trade of drugs, the importation, the storage, the transport, indeed the sale of illicit drugs throughout Australia.

Yeah, that's right. So illicit drugs in Australia have an impact on almost every family. So we know that 1 in 10 people across the country have been a victim of an illicit drug related incident or indirectly through the significant, significant health and social costs to the community. It's a it's a major issue. And so Crime Stoppers have launched a campaign in collaboration with the federal government and law enforcement across Australia to try and encourage people to come forward who have information about this illegal trade of drugs, the importation, the storage, the transport, indeed the sale of illicit drugs throughout Australia.

And it's kind of got an interesting tagline. Brad Yeah.

And it's kind of got an interesting tagline. Brad Yeah.

They'll never know. So really playing on the anonymity that people who report to Crimestoppers can choose to have. So that is, you know, when people call us up on one 800 or 3 000 or indeed online, there is the capacity to remind completely anonymous. So there are not IP addresses, though the phone conversations are not recorded. So people who have information can provide that to crime Stoppers and that information can then potentially be part of the intelligence that police can use to have an impact on the illicit drugs industry throughout Australia.

They'll never know. So really playing on the anonymity that people who report to Crimestoppers can choose to have. So that is, you know, when people call us up on one 800 or 3 000 or indeed online, there is the capacity to remind completely anonymous. So there are not IP addresses, though the phone conversations are not recorded. So people who have information can provide that to crime Stoppers and that information can then potentially be part of the intelligence that police can use to have an impact on the illicit drugs industry throughout Australia.

Often when we hear about crimes being committed, you know, we kind of hear about a.

Often when we hear about crimes being committed, you know, we kind of hear about a.

Link to drugs. So in terms of people safety, how important is that to make sure that, you know, the anonymity is kept and people's information is not going to see them get into any sort of physical issues or challenges As far as the drug dealers go.

Link to drugs. So in terms of people safety, how important is that to make sure that, you know, the anonymity is kept and people's information is not going to see them get into any sort of physical issues or challenges As far as the drug dealers go.

Oh, it's so important, Peter. And that's why the majority of our advertising for this particular campaign across the country will be done in relatively private moments. So we're looking for people to consider what information they may have about the drug trade in Australia and to potentially report that to Crime Stoppers in private. So we've got some information on our website. Crime stoppers.com today that assists with the clearing of any cache, eyes or web browsing history. And also we think the most critical part of all of this is that people who report to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous. So that's not just creating a safe, private moment for yourself to jump on a phone or a laptop and report the information you may know or make a phone call in private and report information you may know. But in no way can investigators ever follow up with you if you choose to remain anonymous. And indeed, there is no capacity for you to ever be part of any of the proceedings that might occur when those criminals do get arrested down the track.

Oh, it's so important, Peter. And that's why the majority of our advertising for this particular campaign across the country will be done in relatively private moments. So we're looking for people to consider what information they may have about the drug trade in Australia and to potentially report that to Crime Stoppers in private. So we've got some information on our website. Crime stoppers.com today that assists with the clearing of any cache, eyes or web browsing history. And also we think the most critical part of all of this is that people who report to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous. So that's not just creating a safe, private moment for yourself to jump on a phone or a laptop and report the information you may know or make a phone call in private and report information you may know. But in no way can investigators ever follow up with you if you choose to remain anonymous. And indeed, there is no capacity for you to ever be part of any of the proceedings that might occur when those criminals do get arrested down the track.

That's a very good thing to know.

That's a very good thing to know.

But we've learned over the time that we've been speaking to people from Crime Stoppers of Victoria that lots of little bits of information can really add up to make a big difference. So what sort of things can people be looking out for that for you is going to be like a telltale sign. But we might not think, Oh, it's not that big a deal, but maybe it's worth reporting.

But we've learned over the time that we've been speaking to people from Crime Stoppers of Victoria that lots of little bits of information can really add up to make a big difference. So what sort of things can people be looking out for that for you is going to be like a telltale sign. But we might not think, Oh, it's not that big a deal, but maybe it's worth reporting.

No, absolutely, Peter. So what we understand is that the suspicious activity that we're looking for can be wide and varied and sometimes it can be in plain sight. So, for example, we know that drugs can at times be dropped to places that don't quite make sense. So, for example, number ten, Smith Street might have the Smith family living at it, or it might be a business, you know, Smithfield, Inc. if a package or a parcel regularly turns up on the doorstep of that particular address, but it's addressed to a. Mr. Jones, then something may not be quite right about that. So it could be that they're using that particular address as a drop off point for illicit drugs, and that's information that could assist police and other authorities to understand particular rackets of drugs and their transportation and sale throughout Australia. Another one is when there's frequent visitation to a workplace or a residence or a disused light industrial factory or something of that nature at all hours of the day or night and only for very short periods of time. And potentially, you know, if there's any visibility at all. On on cash and large quantities of cash, then that could well be a sign. So I think people might recognize some of these things at the bottom of their street or in the areas that they frequent. There's no doubt that this activity sometimes does happen in in plain sight. Sometimes we're hearing that the illicit drug industry does turn up at people's workplace. So it might be that a workmate or indeed a customer has attempted to request or ask of you to do something that just doesn't quite add up. It's a little bit suspicious. It's unorthodox. It's not something that makes sense in the normal operation of your business or your job, and it might just be something that can help the police if provided through Crimestoppers anonymously, to piece together a puzzle that is relatively complex. And as you said, Peter, before, the more small pieces of that puzzle that are provided through Crimestoppers anonymously, the clearer that picture becomes.

No, absolutely, Peter. So what we understand is that the suspicious activity that we're looking for can be wide and varied and sometimes it can be in plain sight. So, for example, we know that drugs can at times be dropped to places that don't quite make sense. So, for example, number ten, Smith Street might have the Smith family living at it, or it might be a business, you know, Smithfield, Inc. if a package or a parcel regularly turns up on the doorstep of that particular address, but it's addressed to a. Mr. Jones, then something may not be quite right about that. So it could be that they're using that particular address as a drop off point for illicit drugs, and that's information that could assist police and other authorities to understand particular rackets of drugs and their transportation and sale throughout Australia. Another one is when there's frequent visitation to a workplace or a residence or a disused light industrial factory or something of that nature at all hours of the day or night and only for very short periods of time. And potentially, you know, if there's any visibility at all. On on cash and large quantities of cash, then that could well be a sign. So I think people might recognize some of these things at the bottom of their street or in the areas that they frequent. There's no doubt that this activity sometimes does happen in in plain sight. Sometimes we're hearing that the illicit drug industry does turn up at people's workplace. So it might be that a workmate or indeed a customer has attempted to request or ask of you to do something that just doesn't quite add up. It's a little bit suspicious. It's unorthodox. It's not something that makes sense in the normal operation of your business or your job, and it might just be something that can help the police if provided through Crimestoppers anonymously, to piece together a puzzle that is relatively complex. And as you said, Peter, before, the more small pieces of that puzzle that are provided through Crimestoppers anonymously, the clearer that picture becomes.

What about as far as the area that you're concentrating in? I'm thinking, you know, metropolitan or rural smack bang in the middle of the city. What about that sort of angle? All of the.

What about as far as the area that you're concentrating in? I'm thinking, you know, metropolitan or rural smack bang in the middle of the city. What about that sort of angle? All of the.

Above. So information that we have from the police suggests that the illicit drug industry has an impact right across Australia. Now, we understand that some of that impact is imported to Australia, so we know that there are some criminal syndicates out of all parts of the world that trafficking drugs into Australia and then transporting them around Australia to get them, get them to market. There doesn't appear to be any discrimination in terms of towns, rural areas, cities, suburbs, inner or outer. If there's a market for these illicit drugs, then the industry, the illicit drug industry, which is quite sophisticated, does have capacity to move these drugs to to where they want to be to make these ill gotten gains and at the misery of the community. And we all know the impact that drugs have on crime and health and safety and social setting. More broadly, of course, the syndicates that are responsible for this sale in no way take responsibility for those actions.

Above. So information that we have from the police suggests that the illicit drug industry has an impact right across Australia. Now, we understand that some of that impact is imported to Australia, so we know that there are some criminal syndicates out of all parts of the world that trafficking drugs into Australia and then transporting them around Australia to get them, get them to market. There doesn't appear to be any discrimination in terms of towns, rural areas, cities, suburbs, inner or outer. If there's a market for these illicit drugs, then the industry, the illicit drug industry, which is quite sophisticated, does have capacity to move these drugs to to where they want to be to make these ill gotten gains and at the misery of the community. And we all know the impact that drugs have on crime and health and safety and social setting. More broadly, of course, the syndicates that are responsible for this sale in no way take responsibility for those actions.

Lucrative to Brad.

Lucrative to Brad.

Financial? Yeah, I.

Financial? Yeah, I.

Should think so. We know from some of the statistics provided across the world and indeed within Australia that the the industry here does appear to be lucrative for these for these criminals, which if you think about it, Australia is a very lucky country and we've got significant affluence and wealth in relative terms compared to some of the rest of the world. And so that makes it quite lucrative for these international and and Australian based crime and organised crime organizations to target the sale of drugs in Australia are.

Should think so. We know from some of the statistics provided across the world and indeed within Australia that the the industry here does appear to be lucrative for these for these criminals, which if you think about it, Australia is a very lucky country and we've got significant affluence and wealth in relative terms compared to some of the rest of the world. And so that makes it quite lucrative for these international and and Australian based crime and organised crime organizations to target the sale of drugs in Australia are.

Targeting a particular type of.

Targeting a particular type of.

Drug.

Drug.

No, we're not with that at this particular campaign, Peter, but we are specifically interested in methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, heroin. These are the illicit drugs that ASIC suggests through wastewater testing. Results are prevalent throughout the Australian community. And you know, these are the drugs that are turning up in some of the big drug busts that that are happening. The police and the Federal Police and the Border Force and right across Australia are making an impact. And the point of this campaign is to assist with that impact and that's by asking the community to come forward with information they have. And as we said before, the capacity to do that anonymously through Crimestoppers, particularly online, is something that we believe will assist in those investigations and lead to the dismantling of this organised crime across Australia.

No, we're not with that at this particular campaign, Peter, but we are specifically interested in methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, heroin. These are the illicit drugs that ASIC suggests through wastewater testing. Results are prevalent throughout the Australian community. And you know, these are the drugs that are turning up in some of the big drug busts that that are happening. The police and the Federal Police and the Border Force and right across Australia are making an impact. And the point of this campaign is to assist with that impact and that's by asking the community to come forward with information they have. And as we said before, the capacity to do that anonymously through Crimestoppers, particularly online, is something that we believe will assist in those investigations and lead to the dismantling of this organised crime across Australia.

It sounds most.

It sounds most.

Worthwhile, but some people might say, well, what about the cost? There's some pretty good news there as well I think.

Worthwhile, but some people might say, well, what about the cost? There's some pretty good news there as well I think.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well in terms of the cost of this campaign. So this campaign led by Crime Stoppers Australia and funded by the Commonwealth or the Federal Government, the Government of Australia is actually funded by the proceeds of crime. So these are federal legislation called the Proceeds of Crime Act whereby, you know, obviously the cash and proceeds collected when there are big busts and big arrests made, that money can then potentially be used for good purpose through the. The attorney general's office to the federal government. So that's how this grant came about. It is, if you like, the ill gotten gains of the criminals being used to fight the next wave of those criminals.

Well in terms of the cost of this campaign. So this campaign led by Crime Stoppers Australia and funded by the Commonwealth or the Federal Government, the Government of Australia is actually funded by the proceeds of crime. So these are federal legislation called the Proceeds of Crime Act whereby, you know, obviously the cash and proceeds collected when there are big busts and big arrests made, that money can then potentially be used for good purpose through the. The attorney general's office to the federal government. So that's how this grant came about. It is, if you like, the ill gotten gains of the criminals being used to fight the next wave of those criminals.

What science has said most.

What science has said most.

Worthwhile, good luck that now if people do want to either find out more or indeed if there's something they think might be able.

Worthwhile, good luck that now if people do want to either find out more or indeed if there's something they think might be able.

To help out as far as.

To help out as far as.

This particular campaign goes, what's what? Give us a couple of good ways.

This particular campaign goes, what's what? Give us a couple of good ways.

Of getting in touch. Yeah, well, the.

Of getting in touch. Yeah, well, the.

Best way is online. That's where, you know, absolute safe sharing moments and anonymity is available to people who have information as small or as large as that information may be. So Crime stoppers.com dot aew. There's also the capacity to make a phone call from anywhere in Australia and one 800 triple 000 and people can choose to remain anonymous on that phone call as well. As I said before, there are no IP addresses stored. There are no phone calls recorded. If people have information, they have the capacity to share that information and we'll never know. And the criminals will never know that it was you that came forward and supplied that information.

Best way is online. That's where, you know, absolute safe sharing moments and anonymity is available to people who have information as small or as large as that information may be. So Crime stoppers.com dot aew. There's also the capacity to make a phone call from anywhere in Australia and one 800 triple 000 and people can choose to remain anonymous on that phone call as well. As I said before, there are no IP addresses stored. There are no phone calls recorded. If people have information, they have the capacity to share that information and we'll never know. And the criminals will never know that it was you that came forward and supplied that information.

Great to catch up. Welcome on board. It's great to have you with us. And we look forward to catching up with you on a regular basis. Thanks for your time today. My pleasure. Thanks, Peter.

Great to catch up. Welcome on board. It's great to have you with us. And we look forward to catching up with you on a regular basis. Thanks for your time today. My pleasure. Thanks, Peter.

That's a Bradley swine. Brad is from Crime Stoppers. Victoria, with that very important campaign just launched. It will go for about six months and I'm sure we'll hear and speak more about it in the coming days.

That's a Bradley swine. Brad is from Crime Stoppers. Victoria, with that very important campaign just launched. It will go for about six months and I'm sure we'll hear and speak more about it in the coming days.