❓ Question regarding alleged cocaine offloading from a livestock carrier and subsequent animal welfare/security concerns. The Minister's response clarifies agency responsibilities, highlighting the WA Police Force's collaboration with Commonwealth agencies and limitations in their jurisdiction.
AnsweredQoN 1052Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Minister to reports that more than 500 kilograms of cocaine were allegedly offloaded from an international livestock carrier operating, and I ask: (a) what immediate action has the Minister taken to ensure Western Australia (WA) isn't unknowingly enabling organised crime; (b) in reference to (a), why were these risks not identified sooner; (c) what independent checks have confirmed that animal welfare conditions weren't compromised during the vessel's prolonged detention, noting that heat stress, overcrowding and ventilation failures can escalate within hours; (d) will the Minister order a full audit of all crew working on live export ships entering WA, including background checks and employment histories, to prevent these vessels being used as criminal cover; (e) if no to (d), why; and (f) after the Al Kuwait incident, will the Government enforce mandatory, transparent incident reporting for every live export vessel - covering criminal activity, welfare breaches and operational delays - and publish these reports for public scrutiny?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for the Environment representing the Minister for Police
Response time
6 days
(a-b) The Western Australia Police Force takes allegations of organised crime extremely seriously. Upon receiving intelligence regarding the alleged offloading of illicit substances from an international livestock carrier, the WA Police Force initiated a comprehensive criminal investigation in collaboration with Commonwealth law enforcement agencies, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) via the Western Australia Joint Organised Crime Task Force (WA JOCTF). The WA JOCTF is a multi-agency partnership that includes the WA Police Force, AFP, ABF, and other Commonwealth agencies. These Federal agencies hold primary responsibility for border security, maritime surveillance, and enforcement under Commonwealth legislation.
(c) No livestock were on the vessel Al Kuwait during the conduct of this investigation.
(d-e) The WA Police Force is unable to provide a response as the WA Police Force does not have legislative authority to conduct employment audits or background checks on crew members of live-export vessels as part of maritime operations. These responsibilities fall within the Commonwealth agencies, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
(f) The WA Police Force is unable to provide a response as mandatory incident reporting for live-export vessels, including criminal activity, welfare breaches and operational delays is a regulatory function of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and AMSA under Commonwealth and State legislation.
(c) No livestock were on the vessel Al Kuwait during the conduct of this investigation.
(d-e) The WA Police Force is unable to provide a response as the WA Police Force does not have legislative authority to conduct employment audits or background checks on crew members of live-export vessels as part of maritime operations. These responsibilities fall within the Commonwealth agencies, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
(f) The WA Police Force is unable to provide a response as mandatory incident reporting for live-export vessels, including criminal activity, welfare breaches and operational delays is a regulatory function of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and AMSA under Commonwealth and State legislation.
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