Qantas security manager sacked

15:31 AEST Thu Jun 2 2005

A Qantas security chief has been sacked after it was revealed the former policeman was linked to suspected drug cartel figures in a 1996 police royal commission.

Alan Conwell, a former officer with the drug enforcement agency, was recorded using phone taps talking to associates of fugitive Michael Hurley. 

A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed the security staff member had been sacked.

"We have terminated the contract of a security manager," she said.

"He joined us from Ansett and his contract was terminated as a result of an ongoing internal investigation."

News of the sacking comes after a secret Australian Customs Service report, completed last September, found some Sydney airport workers had been involved in drug smuggling and stealing, and some could pose a terrorist threat.

The report also detailed serious security breaches and illegal activity by baggage handlers, aircrew, ramp and trolley workers, security screeners and cleaners.

Last month a federal police investigation broke an alleged drug smuggling ring at Sydney airport. Since then thirteen people have been charged and faced Sydney courts.

The two alleged “king-pins” of the Sydney airport operation, Michael Hurley and Les Mara are on the run from police.

Mr. Conwell admitted knowing an associate of Michael Hurley, criminal Norm Beves but denied he had done anything to help the man avoid prosecution.

According to today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Mr. Beves has a string of convictions for SP betting and theft.

It is believed Qantas management relieved Mr. Conwell of his duties after learning of this connection.

Schapelle Corby's family and supporters have condemned a terror threat to the Indonesian embassy in Canberra, saying it could hamper her bid for freedom.

Corby's cousin Lyn Lack, of Jimboomba south-west of Brisbane, said the family was appalled by the incident in which a letter was sent to the ambassador stuffed with white bacterial powder and a race-hate message.

Up to 50 embassy staff were quarantined for several hours as emergency officers in chemical-protection suits cleaned up the substance, which spilled on the floor when the letter was opened.

"They are innocent people just like Schapelle," Ms Lack said.

She urged people incensed by the Corby case to refrain from tarnishing relations between Australia and Indonesia through intimidation tactics.

"It is not helping her - two wrongs don't make a right," Ms Lack said.

"We need to do everything properly - we can be angry but don't show it like that."

Ms Lack said the rumblings of the Corby case had been felt beyond Australia and Indonesia's borders, with people around the world signing a petition to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"We have had petitions from our website, www.dontshootschapelle.com  being downloaded in America, Hong Kong, Canada, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and in England," she said.

Rachelle Hamilton of the Gold Coast, who is spearheading a national day of protest against Corby's 20-year sentence in Bali for drug smuggling, distanced Corby supporters from the letter incident.

"It is un-Australian and I don't believe her supporters would do this - they are weeping and in tears, not doing these acts," Ms Hamilton said.

"It could be someone who wants to stir up the Indonesian people against Australians, who knows.

"People can actually help Schapelle by signing a petition, not doing that."

An alleged member of an organised crime network has been charged with attempting to obtain a false Australian passport.

Queensland's crime watchdog said Todd Sean Filippa, 41, of Warner, on Brisbane's north side, was remanded in custody after he appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

A Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) spokeswoman said Filippa had been charged after breaching his bail conditions in relation to a number of serious drug offences and that Filippa had set up an overseas bank account in Suriname, South America, under the name of Todd Bellino.

She said he was suspected of making arrangements to launder proceeds of his drug trafficking activities or preparing to flee the country. Filippa was involved in a major drug operation that the CMC closed last year when 18 people in numerous states were nabbed for amphetamine manufacturing and trafficking.