Two South Australian men are scheduled to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court today (27 January, 2023) after the AFP charged them with proceeds of crime offences.
The AFP began an investigation in October 2020 into an alleged money laundering syndicate, after cash deposits were made into multiple bank accounts over several months.
The investigation identified a Findon man, 40, and an Adelaide man, 60, allegedly dealing with suspected proceeds of crime. The AFP will allege the proceeds of crime were derived from illicit drug imports.
The AFP conducted search warrants on 27 October, 2022 on premises in Findon and Adelaide, where investigators located a number of electronic devices. Investigators seized the electronic devices for forensic examination and arrested the men.
AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said unexplained sources of wealth were often a sign of underlying criminal activity.
“We suspect the cash identified through this investigation was not lawfully earned and is the proceeds of crime,” Detective Superintendent Adam said.
“The AFP is committed to ensuring people do not profit from exploiting the wider community. If we suspect people are living a lifestyle they cannot lawfully justify, we will seize and restrain those assets and seek an explanation before the court.”
The Findon man has been charged with:
- One count of dealing in proceeds of crime greater than $1 million, contrary to section 400.3 of the Criminal Code Act (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years’ imprisonment; and
- One count of failing to comply with a 3LA order, contrary to section 3L(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The Adelaide man has been charged with:
- One count of dealing in proceeds of crime greater than $100,000, contrary to section 400.4 of the Criminal Code Act (Cth). The maximum penalty for the offence is three years’ imprisonment.
Investigations are continuing.
