Police break up crime syndicate
By Paul Heinrichs and Louise Hall
The Age (Australia)
POLICE have smashed an alleged $93 million money laundering and drug trafficking racket based in the Vietnamese communities of Melbourne and Sydney.
Five men and four women were arrested on Friday after the Australian Crime Commission's Taskforce Gordian raided 11 properties in Melbourne and nine in Sydney.
Police say they found firearms, about $750,000 in cash and large quantities of white powder, believed to be the drug ice (crystal methamphetamine).
Three people were arrested in Melbourne and six in Sydney.
Crime Commission head of national operations Michael Outram said the nine suspects had been watched for the past two years as part of a complex investigation.
"We are confident that we've closed that syndicate down now with the result of the arrests," he told ABC radio.
The commission set up Taskforce Gordian in March last year to investigate how organised crime gangs were financing their activities.
Accountants, money remitters and financial services providers linked to the syndicate were all targeted during the large-scale police investigation. "This operation has significantly disrupted the activities of an organised syndicate allegedly involved in a range of criminal activities," Crime Commission board chairman and Australian Federal Police chief Mick Keelty said.
"By seizing proceeds of crime, we remove the incentive to commit further offences and reduce the syndicate's operating resources."
The Sydney raids led to appearances in Parramatta Bail Court on Friday. The court was told that four money transaction businesses in two states allegedly laundered more than $93 million in 11 months.
Between December 5, 2005, and October 5, the businesses would receive deposits of cash from major clients, the court was told.
Police said the group was aware that most of the money was the proceeds of crime.
The money would be transferred between the four businesses and overseas to Vietnam, Hong Kong and Cambodia, based on the clients' instructions.
Police said Thi Ba Ong Huynh, 55, of Green Valley, operated Long Thanh Money Transfer in Cabramatta with her husband and son.
It was located inside her clothing business, My Le Hoa Fashions.
She was alleged to have conspired with her niece, Hang Thanh Huynh, 35, and her niece's husband, Tuong Manh Hoang, who ran a money transfer company in Melbourne.
Also in court was Tam Tran, 44, and his wife, Hue Thanh Tran, 43, who ran a company in Bankstown.
Van Loi Nguyen, 31, was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, being not less than 1.5 kilograms of heroin.
All four were refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court tomorrow.
With AAP
Five men and four women were arrested on Friday after the Australian Crime Commission's Taskforce Gordian raided 11 properties in Melbourne and nine in Sydney.
Police say they found firearms, about $750,000 in cash and large quantities of white powder, believed to be the drug ice (crystal methamphetamine).
Three people were arrested in Melbourne and six in Sydney.
Crime Commission head of national operations Michael Outram said the nine suspects had been watched for the past two years as part of a complex investigation.
"We are confident that we've closed that syndicate down now with the result of the arrests," he told ABC radio.
The commission set up Taskforce Gordian in March last year to investigate how organised crime gangs were financing their activities.
Accountants, money remitters and financial services providers linked to the syndicate were all targeted during the large-scale police investigation. "This operation has significantly disrupted the activities of an organised syndicate allegedly involved in a range of criminal activities," Crime Commission board chairman and Australian Federal Police chief Mick Keelty said.
"By seizing proceeds of crime, we remove the incentive to commit further offences and reduce the syndicate's operating resources."
The Sydney raids led to appearances in Parramatta Bail Court on Friday. The court was told that four money transaction businesses in two states allegedly laundered more than $93 million in 11 months.
Between December 5, 2005, and October 5, the businesses would receive deposits of cash from major clients, the court was told.
Police said the group was aware that most of the money was the proceeds of crime.
The money would be transferred between the four businesses and overseas to Vietnam, Hong Kong and Cambodia, based on the clients' instructions.
Police said Thi Ba Ong Huynh, 55, of Green Valley, operated Long Thanh Money Transfer in Cabramatta with her husband and son.
It was located inside her clothing business, My Le Hoa Fashions.
She was alleged to have conspired with her niece, Hang Thanh Huynh, 35, and her niece's husband, Tuong Manh Hoang, who ran a money transfer company in Melbourne.
Also in court was Tam Tran, 44, and his wife, Hue Thanh Tran, 43, who ran a company in Bankstown.
Van Loi Nguyen, 31, was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, being not less than 1.5 kilograms of heroin.
All four were refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court tomorrow.
With AAP
4 comments:
Please check this ring through. There must be connection with Mong Rithy, Kith Meng and Ly Yong Phat. These three are the most powerfull drug lords in Cambodia for untouchable.
Mr. Prime minister of australia, FYI you can discuss this issue with Hun Sen in next few days visit, ha! may be you don't care about drug or you want to join venture with Hun Sen that why you ask him to visit you to get deal fix, otherwise you not invited drug dealer to your country.
In Cambodia, noone else can escaped from anti-drugs organisation except that ring is being organised by Bunnary Hun Sen, Mong Rithy, Kith Meng and Ly Yong Phat. These four people can do everything they can. They are gang of 4 of Cambodia.
Nothing to say about the HUN Sen's government.
Everybody knows it is as the corrupt government, criminal government, or in one word is the MAFIA government!
Why?
Please ask HUN Sen, HUK Longdy, KEANG Savuth,......., or even MOK Chito
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