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The new taskforce will also target other crimes in the region, including human trafficking and the smuggling of illicit goods.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett made a strong presentation today to Australia’s National Press Club, outlining the ongoing work of the Australian Federal Police and the formation of a pair of new taskforces to tackle crime in the region.
Alongside Taskforce Pompilid, to tackle a decentralised criminal collective targeting young girls for sadistic exploitation, Commissioner Barrett also announced the formation of Taskforce Thunder.
“Today, I can also reveal Taskforce Thunder, a standing operation that will focus on all crimes, including cyber crime, illicit importations, and human trafficking through our region,” Commissioner Barrett (pictured) said during her 29 October address.
“Taskforce Thunder will target illicit commodities and the forced movement of people through the Pacific.”
Commissioner Barrett said the AFP is supporting 29 transnational crime units in the Pacific region and that the AFP will be part of a “network that provides central coordination of transnational crime intelligence”.
“Crimes detected through Taskforce Thunder will be provided to these units, enabling us to work together to target and charge offenders.”
Commissioner Barrett also highlighted the AFP’s work through the Cyber Safety Pasifika program, which saw the AFP support the Samoa Police Service in establishing a dedicated cyber crime unit.
“In February, the Samoa National Computer Emergency Response Team issued a threat advisory about the activity of a sophisticated cyber group and the risk they posed to networks hosted in the Blue Pacific,” Commissioner Barrett said.
This group had targeted entities in the US and Australia, and had recently targeted “sensitive networks administered by Pacific Island nations”.
“Samoa’s Cybercrime Unit will use new digital forensic capabilities, and will prevent, detect, and investigate cyber crimes by working with local and international partners.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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