US Anti-Mafia Laws Could Help Australia Tackle Drug Syndicates, Says Veteran DEA Agent

Key Details

Paul Larsen, a veteran US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent involved in the prosecution of arms dealer Viktor Bout, has suggested that Australia adopt US-style anti-Mafia racketeering laws (RICO) to target leaders of drug syndicates.

Larsen argued that current Australian laws often result in the arrest of low-level dealers while higher-level bosses face less risk.

He noted that international drug cartels are increasingly targeting Australia due to high drug prices and low extradition risks.

Background

Larsen's comments follow revelations from the Behind the White Line podcast about tensions between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Western Australia Police over a DEA-led sting involving 2.4 tonnes of cocaine from a Mexican cartel.

Documents obtained by the podcast indicate that senior AFP officers worked to undermine the legality of Operation Beech, the joint WA Police and DEA operation. The AFP also complained to the DEA head and the then-US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy about DEA agents working with WA Police.

The two DEA agents were sent home from Australia in March 2023 after the AFP complaints. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch wrote to Ambassador Kennedy to commend the agents' work.