A veteran US Drug Enforcement Administration agent has urged Australia to adopt American anti-Mafia racketeering laws to more effectively combat drug kingpins operating in the country.
DEA Agent's Call for Legal Reform
Paul Larsen, who was part of the DEA team that prosecuted infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, made the comments on the Behind the White Line podcast. He argued that Australian police would benefit from new laws enabling them to charge crime syndicate bosses who orchestrate illegal activities while others carry out the dirty work.
Larsen noted that too often in Australia, foot soldiers and low-level dealers are arrested for drug trafficking, while their bosses reap the profits without facing significant risk. He said international drug cartels are increasingly targeting Australia due to high drug prices and the low risk of extradition to face charges.
Tensions Between AFP and WA Police
Larsen's comments follow revelations on the same podcast about tensions between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Western Australian Police over a DEA-instigated sting involving 2.4 tonnes of Mexican cartel cocaine.
Documents obtained by the podcast show that senior AFP officers engaged in a sustained effort to undermine the legality of Operation Beech, a joint WA Police-DEA operation that prevented the cocaine from reaching Australia. The AFP also complained to the DEA head and then-US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy about the actions of American agents working with WA Police.
In response, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch wrote to Kennedy praising the agents' work. The two DEA agents were sent home from Australia in March 2023 following the AFP complaints.
Larsen believes adopting US-style racketeering laws would help Australian authorities target the masterminds behind drug trafficking operations, rather than just low-level operatives.
