A Tasmanian woman is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today charged after she was allegedly caught flying interstate under a false name with a large amount of cash.
The AFP stopped the woman when she arrived at Sydney Airport on a flight from Hobart on 1 June, 2023.
The AFP allegedly found more than $208,000 in Australian currency in her suitcase.
The cash, which was in bundles of $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations, was seized as suspected proceeds of crime. The woman was allegedly unable to show how the money was legally obtained.
Police also seized a glass pipe containing a small amount of a crystalline substance, which allegedly tested positive for Methamphetamine.
The AFP will also allege the woman was travelling with a digital boarding pass in another person’s name.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Heil said unexplained sources of wealth were often a sign of underlying criminal activity.
“We suspect the money identified through this investigation was not lawfully earned and the woman in possession of this money was attempting to travel under a false name to avoid identification,” A/Insp Heil said.
“The AFP is committed to ensuring people do not profit from exploiting the wider community. If we suspect people have access to money or assets they cannot lawfully justify, we will seize and restrain those assets and seek an explanation through the courts.”
The woman was arrested and charged with:
- One count of dealing in the proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.9(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is three years’ imprisonment;
- Taking a constitutional flight using a ticket obtained under false identification, contrary to section 376.4(2) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 12 months’ imprisonment; and
Possessing a prohibited drug, contrary to section 10(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years’ imprisonment.
The woman initially faced Downing Centre local court on 5 June, 2023, and was granted bail to reappear in court today.
