The Australian Federal Police’s narcotics operations and the identities of its officers have been compromised when the Colombian government’s confidential records were hacked.
The agency reports that it is collaborating with international partners to assist Colombian law enforcement in enhancing the security of its computer systems and determining what information has been compromised.
A spokeswoman for the Australian Federal Police stated in a statement on Friday, “The AFP is concerned about possible breaches of operational security as a result of this data breach.”
The tentacles of Colombian drug cartels extend throughout the globe, including Australia (pictured, an AFP officer)
The AFP said that cooperation with Colombian law enforcement authorities has prevented large-scale cocaine imports into Australia and disrupted criminal cartels (pictured, police in Tulua, Colombia)
The AFP is collaborating with partners in affected locations to mitigate any potential hazards to people’s safety or ongoing investigations.
The statement stated that cooperation with Colombian law enforcement authorities has halted the entry of huge quantities of drugs into Australia and disrupted drug cartels.
Jason Clare, a senior Labor minister, stated that the data breach was significant.
He told Seven’s Sunrise, “We all know about Colombian drug cartels and its tendrils all over the world, even here in Australia, where you have criminals collaborating with them.”
Approximately 70% of Australia’s major and organized criminal threats are based overseas or have extensive international ties.
During the 2021-22 fiscal year, the AFP participated in 266 overseas disruption operations that prevented drugs from reaching Australian shores.
During the 2021-22 fiscal year, the AFP was involved in 266 overseas disruption operations that prevented drugs from reaching Australian shores (the AFP headquarters in Adelaide)