MEXICAN drug lords are setting up Aussie empires to cash in on our insatiable appetite for drugs and a willingness to pay a premium.
Local law enforcement agencies are holding regular meetings with Mexican officials to share -intelligence and develop a strategy to stem the flow of drugs as the focus moves from cocaine to -amphetamines. 
"Australia has become a target for organised criminals from all around the world because Australians are paying top dollar for illicit substances," Justice Minister Mic-hael Keenan said.
"While there is no doubt we are disrupting more criminals and -detecting more illicit drugs than ever before, the illicit drug market remains the principal source of profit for organised crime and continues to be a key focus for law -enforcement in Australia.
"Drug users not only bankroll the criminals who profit from the misery drugs inflict on our communities but they are -ensuring our nation remains a lucrative market for dangerous international crime syndicates." It is understood the Australian Federal Police has developed a strong relationship with the Centre for Research and National -Security, which is the Mexican -intelligence agency. Commonwealth agencies believe the growing amount of crystal meth-amphetamine seized suggested a growing presence of Mexican crime groups setting up shop in Australia.
It comes as the Australia Crime Commission has warned that one of its biggest problems related to -illegitimate operations being mixed with lawful business, and the use of white-collar professions to help stay under the radar.
The commission's latest Organised Crime in Australia report outlines the problems facing police and law makers.
"The use of professional facilitators to successfully exploit business structures on behalf of organised crime will remain a key problem, as lawyers, accountants and trust and company service providers are in large part not captured by Australia's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing -regime," the report said.
"As a result, they do not have the same customer due diligence or suspicious matter reporting obligations as financial institutions."Professional facilitators will continue to perform an important role in the organised crime business model while they remain outside the Australian Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing regime."