The Gold Stealing Detection Unit (GSDU) in Kalgoorlie is tackling a rise in drug-related offenses among fly-in, fly-out (Fifo) workers, as gold prices hit record highs against the Australian dollar. The unit, established in 1907, operates with detectives from the WA Police Force funded by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy.
Officer-in-charge Detective Sergeant Chris King said the unit investigates a range of crimes at mine sites, including drug offences, gold theft, assault, and arson. 'Anything that happens at a mine site, we investigate,' he said.
Drug crimes have become a growing focus, with the unit seizing illicit substances and making arrests. Two weeks ago, the squad confiscated about two kilograms of gold from a contract mine worker, who was subsequently fired.
The GSDU travels across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, inspecting every gold mine at least twice a year. Its methods have evolved since gold was first stolen in raw form; now, theft occurs at various stages of the extraction process, including when gold is mixed with chemicals and doesn't resemble its final form.
The unit's history includes the 1926 murders of detectives John Walsh and Alexander Pitman, who were killed by men they were investigating for illegal gold smelting. Today, the team consists of three detectives and an analyst, maintaining a significant impact despite its small size.
