Australia captures five major people smugglers

Boat carrying asylum seekers

Federal police have arrested five ‘major’ alleged people smugglers operating in Australia.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Steve Lancaster made the announcement on Thursday after a series of raids across the country.

The AFP has described it as Australia’s largest ever people smuggling strike.

Mr Lancaster says four of the five people – three Afghans, one Iranian and one Pakistani – came to Australia on boats themselves.

They belonged to syndicates that were collectively responsible for 132 boats reaching Australia, he said.

He says the AFP has about 20 people-smuggling investigations underway.

‘Those who have not been picked up in the first scoop today, that does not mean you should sleep well tonight,’ he told reporters in Canberra.

‘This effort remains ongoing.’

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