The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) - led national Fusion Capability is the latest weapon in the fight against serious and organised crime.
Officially launched in July 2010, the Fusion Capability co-locates investigators, analysts and technical experts to maximise the use of public and private sector data and facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and analysis.
Fusion brings together capabilities from key Commonwealth agencies including the Australian Federal Police, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink, Customs and Border Protection and State and Territory law enforcement authorities.
John Lawler, CEO of the ACC, says the concept of fusion encapsulates the strategic direction of the ACC and is just one example of how the agency is instigating a joint attack on serious and organised crime.
'The focus of the ACC is on the value we add to the work of our partner agencies and the national, and increasingly international, linkages we can provide. Rather than duplicating the work of our partners, we are constantly looking at ways to best utilise the data, skills and resources available to more effectively disrupt the highest threat criminal targets,' Mr Lawler said.
Dr David Lacey, National Manager Collections and Analytics, is overseeing the implementation of the Fusion Capability.
'Since launching, we have already identified high-threat targets that were previously unknown to law enforcement. New and vital information is also being generated on many of the entities currently the subject of law enforcement efforts. This highlights the importance of a collaborative approach to data sharing and analysis among agencies outside the traditional law enforcement cadre,' Dr Lacey said.
The potential of the Fusion Capability will be further realised over the next 12 months, as regional fusion hubs are rolled out across Australia and national criminal intelligence is translated into tangible outcomes.
Further information about the ACC's Fusion Capability can be found here.
Fusion celebrates recent outcome
In February 2011, two women were charged with facilitating a highly lucrative money laundering syndicate in the south-western suburbs of Sydney. This was uncovered as a result of the information sharing and analysis which is enabled through the National Criminal Intelligence Fusion Centre.
In May 2010 the Financial Intelligence Assessment Team (FIAT), a component of the Fusion Centre, identified a syndicate allegedly facilitating avoidance of taxation obligations for a large number of clothing manufacturing businesses. FIAT then referred the case to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) which investigated the syndicate and executed eight search warrants on residential and business premises in western Sydney, seizing over $800,000 in cash. A 47 year old Croydon Park woman and a 59 year old Green Valley woman were charged with dealing in proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more, contrary to Section 400.3 Criminal Code Act 1995.
Last Modified: Friday, 18 January 2013