speakers
Select the speakers photo to view their biography.
Prof. Kevin Thomas
Director, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland
Prof. Kevin Thomas
Professor Kevin Thomas is Director of the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) at The University of Queensland. A global leader in wastewater-based epidemiology, his research focuses on using chemical and biological markers in sewage to monitor community health, including drug use, disease prevalence, and antimicrobial resistance. He founded the SCORE network, advancing international collaboration in wastewater-based surveillance. With over 350 peer-reviewed publications, Professor Thomas integrates cutting-edge analytical chemistry with public health science to inform policy and safeguard environmental and human health.
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams
Director, National Organised Crime Group, NZ Police
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams
Greg has been in the New Zealand Police for 45 years. He has worked on and off in the drug investigations arena since the mid 1980’s.
He was promoted to Detective Inspector in 2004 and led a broad range of complex serious crime, organised crime and homicide investigation. Greg was promoted to Detective Superintendent in 2015 taking up the role of National Manager Financial Crime Group (FCG). He was the NZ Police representative on the FELEG Money Laundering Working Group. The FCG targets assets accumulated through criminal offending and investigates complex money laundering. Greg implemented Money Laundering teams and established the Financial Crime Prevention Network with NZ’s major banks now operating both a Strategic and Operational Working Group.
In March 2017 Greg took up his current role as the Director of the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG). This group focusses on top echelon transnational and national organised crime groups. NOCG has conducted multiple successful investigations over the last eight years which includes the dismantling of 27 TNOC Operational cells embedded into NZ. His leadership has focussed on changing mind-sets across government and private sector to make New Zealand more resilient to the impacts of organised crime and embed an all systems approach to disrupt and prevent organised crime. He currently is the Co-Chair for Group 1- Manufacturing and Trafficking of Synthetic Drugs, as part of the Global Coalition to address the harm caused by Synthetic Drugs which 160 countries have joined and represents NZ on the Morpheus, Athena and Vitreus working groups.
Greg has been in the New Zealand Police for 45 years. He has worked on and off in the drug investigations arena since the mid 1980’s.
He was promoted to Detective Inspector in 2004 and led a broad range of complex serious crime, organised crime and homicide investigation. Greg was promoted to Detective Superintendent in 2015 taking up the role of National Manager Financial Crime Group (FCG). He was the NZ Police representative on the FELEG Money Laundering Working Group. The FCG targets assets accumulated through criminal offending and investigates complex money laundering. Greg implemented Money Laundering teams and established the Financial Crime Prevention Network with NZ’s major banks now operating both a Strategic and Operational Working Group.
In March 2017 Greg took up his current role as the Director of the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG). This group focusses on top echelon transnational and national organised crime groups. NOCG has conducted multiple successful investigations over the last eight years which includes the dismantling of 27 TNOC Operational cells embedded into NZ. His leadership has focussed on changing mind-sets across government and private sector to make New Zealand more resilient to the impacts of organised crime and embed an all systems approach to disrupt and prevent organised crime. He currently is the Co-Chair for Group 1- Manufacturing and Trafficking of Synthetic Drugs, as part of the Global Coalition to address the harm caused by Synthetic Drugs which 160 countries have joined and represents NZ on the Morpheus, Athena and Vitreus working groups.
Avi Rebera
Assistant Secretary, Office of Drug Control and Gene Technology Policy - Department of Health and Aged Care
Avi Rebera
Mr Avi Rebera, Assistant Secretary, Office of Drug Control and Gene Technology Policy- Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government.Mr Rebera has been with the Department of Health and Aged Care since 2013 and currently has responsibility for Office of Drug Control (ODC) and Gene Technology Policy and Governance (GTPG).
Avi has led the ODC since 2021 and recently also took over responsibility for GTPC.
The ODC is responsible for regulating the cultivation, import, export, and manufacture of controlled substances to comply with Australia's obligations under International Drug Conventions. This includes the cultivation, production, and manufacture of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes. Functions also include monitoring and compliance activities to ensure that regulated entities meet their obligations under Australia’s Narcotics Drugs Act 1967.
The ODC is also responsible for controlling the import of therapeutic vaping products and kava. GTPG advises on strategic regulatory policy issues for health technologies related to gene technology, genetically modified organisms, and the National Gene Technology Scheme. This work includes providing strategic portfolio oversight of, and a policy interface with, the independent Gene Technology Regulator and the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and governance and secretariat support for several committees and cross jurisdictional meetings. GTSC also oversees the implementation of the current review of the Scheme.
Prior to his current role he has led several branches within the Department spanning across regulation, delivery, and corporate functions, including several years at the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Prior to joining the Australian Government Mr Rebera spent over 20 years in the private sector.
Mr Rebera has been with the Department of Health and Aged Care since 2013 and currently has responsibility for Office of Drug Control (ODC) and Gene Technology Policy and Governance (GTPG).
Avi has led the ODC since 2021 and recently also took over responsibility for GTPC.
The ODC is responsible for regulating the cultivation, import, export, and manufacture of controlled substances to comply with Australia's obligations under International Drug Conventions. This includes the cultivation, production, and manufacture of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes. Functions also include monitoring and compliance activities to ensure that regulated entities meet their obligations under Australia’s Narcotics Drugs Act 1967.
The ODC is also responsible for controlling the import of therapeutic vaping products and kava. GTPG advises on strategic regulatory policy issues for health technologies related to gene technology, genetically modified organisms, and the National Gene Technology Scheme. This work includes providing strategic portfolio oversight of, and a policy interface with, the independent Gene Technology Regulator and the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and governance and secretariat support for several committees and cross jurisdictional meetings. GTSC also oversees the implementation of the current review of the Scheme.
Prior to his current role he has led several branches within the Department spanning across regulation, delivery, and corporate functions, including several years at the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Prior to joining the Australian Government Mr Rebera spent over 20 years in the private sector.
Benedikt Hofmann
Regional Representative ad interimfor Southeast Asia and the Pacific, UNODC
Benedikt Hoffman
Benedikt Hofmann took up his functions as UNODC Deputy Regional
Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific based in Bangkok,
Thailand, in September 2023 and currently served as Regional
Representative ad interim. Prior to this, he was UNODC’s Head of Office in
Myanmar, responsible for all UNODC programming and operations in the
country. Previously he served in the Office of the Director, Division for Operations, in UNODC
Vienna headquarters, where he focused on strategic programme planning, enhancing UN
partnerships, and strengthening impact of UNODC field operations around the world. Before
that, he supported UNODC’s programme development and management in Eastern Africa, as
well as the Middle East and North Africa region. In 2015 and 2016, Benedikt was on an earlier assignment in the UNODC Regional Office for
Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, leading monitoring, and reporting on UNODC’s
regional activities covering organized crime, illicit trafficking, as well as challenges related to
drug abuse and terrorism. Before his time in Bangkok, he had served in various capacities with
the UNODC Headquarters, covering programmes in Africa, the Middle East, as well as
Afghanistan and the surrounding region. A national of Austria, Benedikt has been with UNODC
for more than 10 years
In 2015 and 2016, Benedikt was on an earlier assignment in the UNODC Regional Office for
Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, leading monitoring, and reporting on UNODC’s
regional activities covering organized crime, illicit trafficking, as well as challenges related to
drug abuse and terrorism. Before his time in Bangkok, he had served in various capacities with
the UNODC Headquarters, covering programmes in Africa, the Middle East, as well as
Afghanistan and the surrounding region. A national of Austria, Benedikt has been with UNODC
for more than 10 years
Halifax Bennett
Assistant Director, Narcotics Control, Office of Drug Control
Halifax Bennett
Halifax Bennett is the Assistant Director of the Narcotics Control Section in the Office of Drug Control. With nearly a decade of experience in the Australian Public Service, Halifax has spent almost 4 years specialising in regulation and policy for the domestic and international control of drugs and precursor chemicals.
Halifax works closely with a broad range of Australian industry and Government stakeholders, along with several key international stakeholders, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Narcotics Control Board.
Halifax brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to support Australia’s work on regulation and policy for drugs and precursor chemicals.
Halifax Bennett is the Assistant Director of the Narcotics Control Section in the Office of Drug Control. With nearly a decade of experience in the Australian Public Service, Halifax has spent almost 4 years specialising in regulation and policy for the domestic and international control of drugs and precursor chemicals.
Halifax works closely with a broad range of Australian industry and Government stakeholders, along with several key international stakeholders, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Narcotics Control Board.
Halifax brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to support Australia’s work on regulation and policy for drugs and precursor chemicals.
Joseph Bozenko
Joseph Bozenko
Senior Research Chemist, DEA
Joseph Bozenko
Joe Bozenko is a Senior Research Chemist with DEA. He investigates synthetic drug manufacturing and has processed some of the largest drug laboratories in the world. He has authored reports and peer-reviewed scientific articles pertaining to the clandestine synthesis and analysis of drugs. Mr. Bozenko holds degrees in Chemistry served as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry for 17 years. Mr. Bozenko also holds a patent, jointly with Harvard University, on the Magneto-Archimedes Levitation System. Mr. Bozenko has been featured on television, periodicals, podcasts, and in Sam Quinones’ new book The Least of Us: True Stories of American and Hope in the Times of Fentanyl and Meth.
Joe Bozenko is a Senior Research Chemist with DEA. He investigates synthetic drug manufacturing and has processed some of the largest drug laboratories in the world. He has authored reports and peer-reviewed scientific articles pertaining to the clandestine synthesis and analysis of drugs. Mr. Bozenko holds degrees in Chemistry served as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry for 17 years. Mr. Bozenko also holds a patent, jointly with Harvard University, on the Magneto-Archimedes Levitation System. Mr. Bozenko has been featured on television, periodicals, podcasts, and in Sam Quinones’ new book The Least of Us: True Stories of American and Hope in the Times of Fentanyl and Meth.
Nick Zovko
Head of Regulatory Affairs, Chemistry Australia
Nick Zovko
Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry and is subject matter expert in chemical regulatory affairs. He currently works for Chemistry Australia, who is the pre-eminent national body representing the chemical industry in Australia. Prior to joining Chemistry Australia, Nick held variable positions within the petroleum industry, which included product regulatory advisory roles for the Asia-Pacific region. Nick holds over 20 years experience in relation to regulatory affairs and its constant evolution.
Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry and is subject matter expert in chemical regulatory affairs. He currently works for Chemistry Australia, who is the pre-eminent national body representing the chemical industry in Australia. Prior to joining Chemistry Australia, Nick held variable positions within the petroleum industry, which included product regulatory advisory roles for the Asia-Pacific region. Nick holds over 20 years experience in relation to regulatory affairs and its constant evolution.
Simon Whiteley
Detective Sergeant, SCC Drug & Firearms Squad - Chemical Diversion Team
Simon Whiteley
Simon Whiteley is a Detective Sergeant within the NSWPF. He is part of the State Crime Command, Drug and Firearms Squad. He is the team leader of the Chemical Operations Diversion Team. He is a passionate team leader and dedicated to investigating major organised crime entities involved in the manufacture of prohibited drugs. D/Sgt Simon Whiteley has been a police officer for 15 years. He has specialised in illicit drug manufacture investigations for the last 8 years.
He manages a team of six investigators responsible for statewide clandestine laboratory responses, diversion activities, training and education and assisting investigators across the NSWPF.
Simon Whiteley is a Detective Sergeant within the NSWPF. He is part of the State Crime Command, Drug and Firearms Squad. He is the team leader of the Chemical Operations Diversion Team.
He is a passionate team leader and dedicated to investigating major organised crime entities involved in the manufacture of prohibited drugs. D/Sgt Simon Whiteley has been a police officer for 15 years. He has specialised in illicit drug manufacture investigations for the last 8 years.
He manages a team of six investigators responsible for statewide clandestine laboratory responses, diversion activities, training and education and assisting investigators across the NSWPF.
Ronja Bergmann
Chemist and Research Officer - Clandestine Laboratory, Chem Centre, WA
Ronja Bergmann
Ronja Bergmann has been working as a Forensic Chemist in the Illicit Drugs Section at ChemCentre (Perth, Western Australia) for 12 years. Ronja has extensive experience in the analysis and reporting of illicit substances and the identification of novel psychoactive substances. She has been attending and processing clandestine drug laboratories since 2014 and is currently part of the Clandestine Laboratory Team, analysing and reporting on clandestine laboratory and drug comparison cases and regularly providing expert statements, training and subject matter advise to members of the WA Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Department of Health in those fields
Gregory Abroe
Science Leader - Drugs, Forensic Science SA, Attorney-General's Department
Gregory Abroe
Greg is the current Science Leader of the Illicit Drugs and Clandestine Laboratories team at Forensic Science SA. He has been employed in the Illicit Drugs group since 2014, initially working within the illicit drugs laboratory before moving to a reporting role in 2017 for both Illicit Drugs and Cannabis matters. In 2021, he completed training in clan lab attendance and reporting. He is a member of the Controlled Substances Advisory Committee in South Australia, which provide expertise and suggested changes to the South Australian Controlled Substances Act and relevant Regulations.
David Mansfield
Independent Consultant, TM Ltd
David Mansfield
David Mansfield has been conducting research on illicit economies in Afghanistan and on its borders each year since 1997. David has a PhD in development studies and is the author of “A State Built on Sand: How opium undermined Afghanistan.” He has produced more than eighty research-based products on rural livelihoods and cross-border economies, many for the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, and working in close partnership with Alcis Ltd. David was the lead researcher on the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction’s Counter Narcotics: Lessons from the US Experience in Afghanistan, covering the period from 2002- 2017.
Keirena Cornish
Director, Illicit Drugs & Transnational Organised Crime, Department of Home Affairs
Keirena Cornish
Keirena Cornish is the Director for Illicit Drugs & Transnational Organised Crime at the Department of Home Affairs. She has a Masters in International Security Studies and a Masters in Policing, Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism from Macquarie University. Keirena has a breadth of experience working in national security and law enforcement policy. Her current work focuses on transnational, serious and organised crime and illicit drugs. Her responsibilities include national policy and governance for organised crime, ensuring the Commonwealth illicit drugs legislative framework is fit-for-purpose, and international engagement on illicit drugs and organised crime through various bilateral and multilateral fora.
Helen Eldridge
Senior Forensic Chemist – Forensic Science Queensland
Helen Eldridge
Senior Forensic Chemist Helen Eldridge has worked in Forensic Chemistry for more than 22 years, with the majority of that time in the Clandestine Laboratories team. Helen’s focus is on clandestine laboratory response as a senior member of the response team, as well as performing laboratory analysis of the exhibits and reporting. Helen also enjoys mentoring new staff, assisting with the management of the team and providing training and working closely with members of the Synthetic Drug Operations Unit, Queensland Police Service. Helen has also worked for the New South Wales Police Force in the Clandestine Laboratory Unit, Forensic Services Group attending, processing and reporting on clandestine laboratories and as Team Leader of the unit.
Helen is a member, and former board member of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association (CLIC) and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).
Senior Forensic Chemist Helen Eldridge has worked in Forensic Chemistry for more than 22 years, with the majority of that time in the Clandestine Laboratories team. Helen’s focus is on clandestine laboratory response as a senior member of the response team, as well as performing laboratory analysis of the exhibits and reporting. Helen also enjoys mentoring new staff, assisting with the management of the team and providing training and working closely with members of the Synthetic Drug Operations Unit, Queensland Police Service. Helen has also worked for the New South Wales Police Force in the Clandestine Laboratory Unit, Forensic Services Group attending, processing and reporting on clandestine laboratories and as Team Leader of the unit.
Helen is a member, and former board member of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association (CLIC) and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).
Samuel O'Neill
A/g Assistant Director, Transnational Crime Section
Samuel O'Neill
Sam is an acting Assistant Director within DFAT’s Transnational Crime section, leading DFAT’s engagement on illicit drugs. This role is focused on working at the intersection of foreign policy and transnational crime issues, including illicit drugs and precursor chemicals. This includes representation and engagement with bilateral partners, regional forums (including ASEAN) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Prior to this, Sam worked in DFAT’s regulatory legal division and as a lawyer within the private sector.
Sam is an acting Assistant Director within DFAT’s Transnational Crime section, leading DFAT’s engagement on illicit drugs. This role is focused on working at the intersection of foreign policy and transnational crime issues, including illicit drugs and precursor chemicals. This includes representation and engagement with bilateral partners, regional forums (including ASEAN) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Prior to this, Sam worked in DFAT’s regulatory legal division and as a lawyer within the private sector.
Kylie Blumson
Sergeant, Digital and Immersive Production, Qld Police Service
Kylie Blumson
Kylie is a Sergeant working in Digital and Immersive Production for the Qld Police Service. Their goal is to seek out new ways to design and implement innovative training products which are both immersive and functional. Her experience and knowledge in 3D, photography/videography and immersive technologies, is assisting them to develop new 2D and VR/AR/MR products for a diverse range of clients. QPS now has an opportunity to expose all students to an effective and immersive training experience, which not only fulfills training obligations but captures new innovative ways of learning and retaining information.
Kylie is a Sergeant working in Digital and Immersive Production for the Qld Police Service. Their goal is to seek out new ways to design and implement innovative training products which are both immersive and functional. Her experience and knowledge in 3D, photography/videography and immersive technologies, is assisting them to develop new 2D and VR/AR/MR products for a diverse range of clients. QPS now has an opportunity to expose all students to an effective and immersive training experience, which not only fulfills training obligations but captures new innovative ways of learning and retaining information.
Ben Michalke
Superintendent, Investigations South (VIC & TAS), Regional Operations, ADF