Three men have been charged and more than $1 million seized as part of an ongoing joint investigation into a transnational money laundering syndicate.
NSW Police Force’s Organised Crime Squad, together with Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), established a joint investigation under Strike Force Aldred into an overseas money laundering organisation operating in NSW.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators stopped an Audi SUV on Smithfield Road, Prairiewood, about 4.45pm yesterday (Monday 10 August 2020).
The driver, a 21-year-old Jannali man, was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station.
Detectives conducted a search of the vehicle and seized mobile phones and foreign currency.
Simultaneously, AFP officers arrested and charged a 37-year-old man at Auburn and a 40-year-old at Ermington and seized two cooler bags containing $1 million cash.
About 9pm, a subsequent search warrant was executed at a home in at Jannali where investigators seized $116,000 cash from two separate safes, as well as electronic devices, documents and a passport.
The 21-year-old man was charged with recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and deal with property proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in an international money laundering enterprise.
He was bail refused to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Tuesday 11 August 2020).
Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said NSW Police would continue to work with their partners to dismantle international criminal networks operating in NSW.
“Our priority is to keep the people of this state safe from threats both locally and abroad,” Det Supt Fileman said.
“Those who attempt to benefit from criminal activity in NSW should know that we are working closely with our partnering agencies to pull apart their operations and put them before the courts.”
The 37-year-old and 40-year-old men were charged by AFP to appear at court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Aldred are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist strike force detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
