“The detection and prevention of crime are among the most important functions of any government. They are not optional extras which can expand and contract according to fluctuating social circumstances or economic conditions. They are essential elements of a free society and arguably among the most basic of all democratic rights.”
---Crime Commissioner Tim Carmody SC
Since commencing operations in March 1998, the QCC had finalised 42 referred investigations (eight major crime, 21 organised and 13 criminal paedophilia) resulting in over 240 arrests and a total of 1,900 charges. This included murder, kidnapping, armed robberies, child sexual abuse, perjury, witness tampering and money laundering.
In 2000-2001, the State Government had announced its intention to reform and rationalise existing anti-crime and corruption arrangements by merging the Queensland Crime Commission (QCC) with the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC).
In 2000-2001, the QCC achieved the following:
- The Management Committee approved the formation of 19 police task forces to assist with QCC investigations.
- 11 new references (ten major crime and one organised crime) were issued by the Management Committee in 2000–2001.
- During the year, the QCC contributed resources to 39 operations (16 organised crime, 14 major crime and nine criminal paedophilia), compared to 31 in the previous year.
- 11 joint operations required complex financial analysis.
- 116 individual witnesses attended QCC hearings.
- Worked on a total of 31 strategic and tactical intelligence projects, probes and investigations. Sixteen of which related to organised crime and seven to criminal paedophilia.
- Completed and published the second volume of the report on Project Axis, Child Sexual Abuse Queensland: Responses to the Problem.
- Completed Project Cassius and published the Networked and Organised Child Sex Offending in Queensland report.
Throughout 2000-2001, the QCC continued to draw on the skills and knowledge of the four principal law enforcement professional disciplines to proactively identify criminal activity and conduct complex multi-disciplinary investigations of organised and major crime and criminal paedophilia. Using an intelligence-driven approach, QCC investigations combined the skills of legal officers, financial investigators, intelligence analysts and police to examine all aspects of criminal enterprises.
QCC officers met regularly with law enforcement partners including the QPS, Australian Federal Police, National Crime Authority and the CJC to ensure that tactical objectives and operational effectiveness were achieved.
Project Ramson saw a mutually beneficial relationship established with Griffith University where final year students completed short-term research projects related to organised crime under the direction of QCC analysts.
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Operation Bastille When the operation ceased in April 2001, 17 people were charged with a total of 92 charges, including trafficking and the production and supply of dangerous drugs. A legal practitioner, a nightclub manager and a nightclub security provider were amongst the people charged. Assets valued in excess of $85,000 were seized together with quantities of amphetamine powder and capsules, cannabis leaf, plants and seeds, cocaine, ephedrine, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy) and steroids. Operation Salamander Operation Jake Operations Atrax I/II |
For more information, read the QCC Annual Report 2000-01.
