19 March 2003

Media Release

VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN AUSTRALIAN AND VIETNAMESE POLICE

Fairfield’s only Vietnamese-speaking Councillor Thang Ngo said greater co-operation between the Australian and Vietnamese Federal Police bureaus will increase the chances of apprehending Mr Bigs in the illicit drug trade.

Cr Ngo cited the case of Vietnamese Australian Nguyen Thi Kiem Hieu who was sentenced to life imprisonment by Vietnamese authorities today.

According to reports, part of her statement to Vietnamese authorities included the confession that a fellow Vietnamese-Australian had paid her $US35,000 to smuggle 811g of heroin to Sydney.

“This is a fantastic lead and the name of this person should be supplied immediately to the Australian Federal Police” said Cr Ngo.

“We have a fantastic clue to lead us to a potential ‘Mr Big’ in Australia but we need the two governments to speak to each other, to work more closely together to catch the big fish” he said.

“While it’s good to catch the small time couriers, they are dime a dozen, for every one smuggler caught, I’m sure there would be another 10 to take their place for $US 35,000.

CONTACT: UNITY Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo - 0410 33 88 33 (m)