In 2017, commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg was suspended and placed on paid leave, pending an investigation into his conduct by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity. He was later sacked over abuse of power, having helped his partner pursue a job at the Australian Border Force and failing to disclose his relationship with her. There was media criticism that Quaedvlieg was paid in excess of $500,000 between May 2017 and February 2018 while on paid leave. In 2017, the Australian National Audit Office found instances of potentially unlawful searches and failure by the Australian Border Force to comply with instructions under the Customs Act 1901 and the Migration Act 1958. It found that 29% of airport searches were unlawful because one or more officers involved were not authorised to conduct the search. In 2017, an Australian Border Force officer and former customs officer was arrested for their involvement in an international drug and tobacco ring operating between Sydney and Dubai. The drug ring was part of a conspiracy to import 200kg of MDMA via sea cargo and were responsible for smuggling 50 million cigarettes into Australia. In 2021, an officer defrauded the Australian Border Force of $93,898.75 by using his work credit card for unauthorised cash withdrawals and other expenses. He was also found to have used fake medical certificates to obtain sick leave and two fake statutory declarations to substantiate charges to his work credit card. Saudi Arabia asylum In 2019, a Four Corners report found that Saudi Arabian women traveling to Australia to seek asylum were being questioned by the Australian Border Force about why they weren't traveling with their male guardian. Despite making their asylum claims clear, they had their visas blocked and were deported. Notable operations Operation Sovereign Borders – A joint agency operation introduced to minimise the amount of unlawful maritime arrivals and people smuggling into Australia's border. Taskforce Cadena – The Australian Government established Taskforce Cadena in June 2015 to target and disrupt the criminals organising visa fraud, illegal work and the exploitation of foreign workers. Operation Fortitude – A visa checking operation was held in Melbourne in August 2015, Operation Fortitude. It was cancelled following protests and community concern that racial profiling would take place. In addition, concerns were raised over the immigration system's "militarisation". On the day of Operation Fortitude's launch, over 200 protestors converged on Flinders Street railway station in Melbourne,