Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare has warned he will "hunt down" corrupt officials working within Sydney's Customs and Border Protection department.
Up to 20 officials are suspected of being involved in either serious misconduct or corrupt dealings ranging from criminal association to leaking information, drug trafficking and bribery.
They are suspected of importing pseudoephedrine, cocaine, steroids and possibly weapons.
"We can't be naive. There are always people that will be tempted," said Mr Clare at a press conference held this morning.
"Where that happens, you have to hunt them down and weed them out."
Mr Clare said the government has begun implementing reforms to stop corruption in Customs, after a 28-year-old Customs official was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including abuse of office and receiving bribes.
Eight others, including two Sydney women, have also been arrested in relation to the corruption allegations.
The minister warned more stings, more arrests and more reforms will follow.
Opposition Customs Spokesman Michael Keenan said earlier, answers are needed over the allegations.
"Given the seriousness of these charges the government must outline to the Australian people exactly what has happened and why it has been allowed to happen," he said in a statement.
"The widespread and systemic nature of it calls into question the culture of the agency that has allowed this to fester."
Mr Keenan said Labor had cut 750 Customs officers and stripped funding from the agency since being elected, leaving it open to exploitation from criminal syndicates.
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