NSW:Naval drug allegations 'taken seriously'

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2010
NSW:Naval drug allegations 'taken seriously'

SYDNEY, Dec 21 AAP - Allegations of drug trafficking by sailors at Sydney's Garden
Island naval base are being taken very seriously, federal Home Affairs Minister Brendan
O'Connor says.

But Mr O'Connor says he cannot comment further because the matter is being investigated
by the Department of Defence.

A group of sailors is suspected of operating a drug distribution network from the base
in Sydney Harbour.

News Ltd reported the drug ring's customers are mainly backpackers visiting Sydney.

Mr O'Connor says the allegations are of concern.

"I am always concerned if there are allegations of drug dealing anywhere," he told
reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

"I understand that matter is under investigation, so it is being taken very seriously by defence.

"There are criminal sanctions for criminal acts and we would expect people to be treated
accordingly and it wouldn't matter whether they were a civilian or a person from the military."

NSW Police say they are also investigating the allegations.

"Further comment would be inappropriate," a spokeswoman told AAP.

AAP bzs/wjf/maur

KEYWORD: SAILORS UPDATE

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