Australia Police sets up shop in Mannar to stop human smuggling

COLOMBO (News 1st); A new office to control smuggling, human trafficking and maritime crimes centered around maritime areas in the Mannar district was declared open on Thursday (26).

The office was built under a grant worth 150 Million Rupees by the Australian Police.

The office constructed with the support of the Australian Police Department mainly aims to control human smuggling and trafficking centered around the seas off the Mannar district. 

The event to declare open the office was held with Senior Officer of the Australian Federal Police Colombo Post Detective Superintendent Robert Wilson as the Chief Guest of the event. 

"The main aim here is to stop people getting on boats to travel to Australia, as there is zero chance of getting there. Working with the Sri Lankan Police and other agencies within Sri Lanka means that we try to prevent people losing their money to people smugglers through scams and other frauds and cheats. Or if they do get on a boat, risking their lives. The boats they get on are not sea worthy and there's little chance of getting to Australia. If they do get the chance of getting near Australia, they'll be turned back and returned to Sri Lanka," elaborated Detective Superintendent Robert Wilson.