Rampant drug use within the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre (MIDC) is under scrutiny in the wake of raids on the centre by customs and immigration officials.
About 50 Immigration, Customs, AFP and Victoria Police officers launched a dawn swoop on the centre last Wednesday, uncovering drugs and drug paraphernalia, including pipes and syringes.
Sniffer dogs searched throughout the centre in a seven-hour operation which followed last month’s discovery by staff of a suspected ice laboratory operating on the site.
A similar raid on Sydney’s Villawood detention centre last Monday also uncovered contraband items including drugs, pipes and syringes. Officials are concerned drug use has become rife at immigration detention centres across the country.
Department of Immigration and Border Security deputy secretary Cindy Briscoe said the Operation Safe Centres raid at Maribyrnong was based on intelligence gathered by the Department, Customs and centre operators Serco Australia.
“We have a zero tolerance to any violent or illegal behaviour in our centres and detainees and visitors should be put on notice: any contraband hidden inside a detention centre will be found,” she said.
“Operation Safe Centres is about ensuring all those people who reside at, visit or work in immigration detention centres can feel safe in those facilities without the threat of any sort of contraband.”
Contraband items confiscated in the Maribyrnong raid were referred to police and future charges may be laid.
The raids coincide with a review of MIDC security following the escape of at least five detainees in the past four months, including the freeing of one man by an outlaw bikie gang.
The Department of Immigration is also investigating allegations that MIDC security guards may be using excessive force against detainees.
Centre insiders have claimed a rise in physical assaults, and two staff have been dismissed following dozens of complaints about harassment and bullying.
