Criminals targeting the Northern Territory (NT) and beyond have been put on notice, with the opening of a large Australian Border Force (ABF) screening, training and logistics facility in Darwin.
ABF Commissioner Michael Outram has officially opened the facility – which will be known as Garngarn after working closely with Larrakia elders.
Garngarn means sea hawk in Larrakia language, which represents all the different ABF teams working in the facility and the environments they work in – land, sea and air.
“First and foremost, this is a significant upgrade to the ABF's ability to examine containers and cargo in the NT. It increases our presence and our operational effect," Commissioner Outram said.
ABF Cargo Operations teams will now be able to better screen incoming sea freight for contraband including narcotics, tobacco and firearms, with the aid of specialised pallet x-ray technology.
“Secondly, this facility will be home not just to ABF cargo operations but also teams including Marine Logistics, Marine Tactical Units, Officer Safety Training Unit and Remote and Marine," ABF Commissioner Outram said.
“The site will act as a hub for our operations in the Northern Territory, bringing together all the elements of the ABF.
“For Darwin, the opening of this facility is significant. It re-emphasises the geographic and strategic importance of the northern coastline, and will allow us to do our job even better as we work closely with our partners including police and Defence.
“Our focus in the NT, as with the entirety of Australia, will be on narcotics including methamphetamine, illicit tobacco, firearms and abhorrent material such as Child Exploitation Material – and we will now have an enhanced capacity to keep the Territory safe."
Members of the community are encouraged to report suspicious border-related activity through Border Watch. Reports can be made anonymously.
Media enquiries:
ABF Media: (02) 6264 2211
