Australian had links with Lankan people smugglers

An Australian man arrested and charged for allegedly facilitating a people smuggling operation had links with Sri?Lankan people smugglers, the Australian media reported.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will allege that the Elizabeth South man, 35, has attempted to assist a non-citizen to enter Australia on an illegal maritime venture while living in Indonesia, News.com.au reported.

It is also alleged that the man has been in contact with well-known people smugglers in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India.

The AFP and SA Police searched the man?s Elizabeth South home and found the man at his Wingfield workplace on Tuesday.

AFP Victim Based Crime manager, Commander Glen McEwan, said the AFP and the Australian governments were committed to fighting people smuggling.

?What needs to be made clear to the community is that AFP will continue its efforts to combat people smuggling, targeting those who seek to facilitate and profit from an industry that is exploitative and inherently dangerous,? he said.

The man has been charged with one count of people smuggling and will face the Elizabeth Magistrate?s Court. (Colombo Gazette)