[ad_1]
“Organized criminal groups and networks are gaining greater access … and the scope, scale and value of their business … is growing.”
But hard evidence and a way to measure the threat were lacking.
The agencies needed more powers that were better linked, as well as better coordination with the private sector and with partners abroad, particularly in the Pacific and South America, he said.
“We need a clear system-wide method for combining information and intelligence so that agencies can quickly and jointly prioritize and act on risks,” he said.
“We will review the current information sharing powers, policies, guidelines and practices of agencies.”
The Privacy Act had discouraged the sharing of “critical” information, preventing agencies from “being able to seamlessly compare data.”
The review would ensure that officials could use their powers “with confidence” under existing legislation on privacy, tax administration and serious fraud.
Another goal was to cut the profits from transnational crime.
The system would prioritize the recovery of criminal proceeds by making the exchange of information on asset recovery part of the pre-investigation processes of all agencies.
Organized and transnational crime had a “corrupting influence,” Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Mike Johnson said in a statement.
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) said this type of crime was a priority.
“GCSB is increasingly focused on using its advanced technical capabilities in support of this priority,” said GCSB CEO Andrew Hampton.
Now an action plan will be developed based on the new strategy.
RNZ
