AFP operations details caught up in massive South America data hack.
The South American hack occurred in Colombia, a major producer of cocaine, and it has forced the AFP authorities in Australia to scramble to ensure officers and informants are out of harm’s way.
The Australian Federal Police are scrambling to ensure the safety of some of its secret agents and operations exposed in a cyber-attack of Colombian government files. The giant data leak of confidential documents has exposed the identities of secret agents working to bust drug cartels operating in Australia.
The AFP is concerned about possible breaches of operational security as a consequence of this data compromise.
“The AFP is working with our partners in impacted regions to mitigate any potential threats to the safety of people, or ongoing investigations.”
The data breach in August exposed undercover agents and operations of international law enforcement agencies including the AFP.
The spokesperson said AFP cyber security experts are working with the Colombian government to safeguard their computer systems.
Among the 35 missions of AFP missions and their targets revealed is a drug kingpin who is living in luxury in Colombia after fleeing Perth.
In another, a number of migration agents were targeting Colombian students to supply imported cocaine and money to motorcycle gangs in Brisbane.
The files sketch a regular flow of cocaine and other drugs from Colombian cartels in Europe, Asia and the Pacific targeting Australian ports and airports.
The AFP spokesperson said collaboration with Colombian authorities played a vital role in stemming the import of drugs to Australia.
“Operations carried out with involvement from Colombian law enforcement agencies have resulted in the detection of a large amount of drug importations bound for Australia, and disrupted drug cartels through arrests and prosecutions undertaken by Colombia authorities.
“These successes are not possible without the close cooperation of the AFP’s Colombian partners.”
A group called Guacamaya, which says it is inspired by environmental and anti-imperialist issues, claimed it carried out the cyberhack.
It said it targeted data held by governments and corporations in Central and South America.