Two women who allegedly attempted to launder almost $1 million in criminal proceeds for an offshore WA Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member are expected to face Perth Magistrate’s Court today (Friday, 7 January 2022).
The WA National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) has charged the women, aged 33 and 59, with property laundering as a result of an Australian Federal Police-led Operation Ironside investigation.
Police will allege that in May (2021), the 33-year-old drove another person to a business in Perth to deliver two bags.
The bags were seized by WA NAGS investigators and allegedly contained hundreds of thousands of dollars. Further police searches led to the discovery of more cash, with the amount seized totalling $996,165.
As a result of ongoing Operation Ironside enquiries, police will allege the two women were storing and laundering significant amounts of illicit cash on behalf of a Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member who is living overseas.
Police will also allege the money is the profits of drug dealing by the man.
AFP Acting Inspector Chris Colley said seizing money linked to crime is a key police strategy to disrupt transnational serious and organised criminals, preventing them from profiting from illegal activities or funding future criminal ventures.
“Most organised crime is motivated by money and when you take away the profits, you hit offenders where it hurts most,” Acting Inspector Colley said.
“Money laundering involves trying to conceal the source of funds. People who help drug traffickers and other offenders to access their criminal profits may buy goods or assets to try to legitimise the cash, or use money remitters, casinos or money mules to move the profits offshore without alerting law enforcement or regulatory authorities.
“These arrests are a reminder to organised crime groups both in Australia and abroad that the AFP and our partners will not allow them to profit at the expense of our communities.”
WA NAGS, which consists of AFP and WA Police Force officers, arrested the two women on 13 December (2021) after executing search warrants at their homes in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs.
Both were charged with property laundering, contrary to section 563A of the Criminal Code Compilation Act 1913 (WA). The charge can include possessing, concealing or engaging in a transaction of money or other property that is the proceeds of an offence.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 20 years’ imprisonment.
