Australian Federal Police increases global footprint with new office in Mexico

The Australian Federal Police is entering a new era of police cooperation with the Mexican Federal Police (Policia Federal) and other agencies in the region.

This coming week, I will formally open the new AFP Liaison Office in Mexico City. I will meet with Mexican and Colombian partners to enhance cooperation in combatting an increasingly complex, transnational criminal environment.

Enhancing our collaboration with Mexican authorities is a priority to disrupt the flow of methamphetamines impacting Australia.

We have seen significant seizures of methamphetamine from Mexico in Australia over the past 18 months, with links to Australian outlaw motorcycle gangs and West African organised crime.

The cocaine trade through the region is equally concerning, and law enforcement agencies in Australia continue to make record seizures.

In February, the AFP and its partners seized more than 1.4 tonnes of cocaine before it reached the community. To date, it is Australia's largest haul of cocaine and was the second conspiracy to import a tonne of this insidious drug in just over a month.

The drug problem is an issue of both supply and demand. We must tackle drug supply at its source, and an AFP presence in Mexico will progress our efforts. We must also work towards reducing the demand for illicit drugs in Australia.

During my trip to Mexico and Colombia, I will also discuss working with international law enforcement partners on money laundering and other transnational crime types. This will support more collaborative approaches to sharing intelligence.

I will also express condolences on behalf of the people of Australia for the terrible loss of life and destruction resulting from last month's earthquakes in Mexico.