Acquittals in Hong Kong drug mule case put spotlight on international cooperation

Police and customs authorities from mainland China and Hong Kong have become key partners of the Australian authorities as they battle the scourge of Ice down-under.

But yesterday's acquittal of six coached and tricked "drug mules" will turn the spotlight on a secretive joint operation codenamed Breaking Cocoon involving Hong Kong Customs, the Australian Federal Police and United States Immigration Customs Enforcement - which ironically uses the acronym ICE. Working on information from overseas partners, Hong Kong Customs arrested ten travellers, as they were leaving the SAR. Each had a secret stash of crystal methamphetamine in their luggage.

Throughout their subsequent ordeal, they maintained their innocence and said they knew nothing about the drugs in their bags which had been given to them just before they were due to board flights to Australia or New Zealand.

Despite details of their involvement in Cocoon being revealed in court documents, Australian Federal Police deny any involvement in the operation and declined questions put by the .

The agency, however, did acknowledge it is losing a battle with global drug syndicates who are increasingly targeting vulnerable elderly people.

"Despite previous warnings, the AFP and its partner agencies are continuing to see an increase in members of the travelling public falling victim to travel scams," a spokeswoman said.