Two men and a woman have been arrested following an eight-month investigation targeting professional facilitators of organised crime in Canberra.
ACT Policing Criminal Investigations executed search warrants at a law firm in Civic and an accountancy business in Kingston linked to the men yesterday, while further search warrants were executed in Queanbeyan and Farrer.
ACT Policing allege a 47-year-old man facilitated an introduction to a 54-year-old man for the purposes of arranging to legitimise large quantities of cash.
A 35-year-old woman was also arrested in Civic late yesterday as part of the investigation. Police say the woman is a close associate of the 47-year-old man and a member of the legal community.
Police allege the men met on a number of occasions to discuss how legal contracts and agreements could be used to support a business purchase to facilitate the laundering of proceeds of crime.
The men will be charged with offences associated with money laundering.
Detective Superintendent Scott Moller (pictured, below) said the Criminal Investigations operation to target possible professional facilitators of organised crime in Canberra began in May 2020.
“This was a highly sensitive eight-month investigation that targeted covert business practices and services that allowed criminals to commit further crime and hide assets within our community,” Detective Superintendent Moller said.
“This investigation is still ongoing and police expect to make further arrests.”
Det Supt Moller said the organised crime landscape was evolving.
“Some criminal activities are becoming increasingly obscured through new technologies and sophisticated methods, and police must consider broader investigative strategies to disrupt organised crime,” Detective Superintendent Moller said.
“Some organised crime groups and individuals lack the necessary skills or access to carry out their crimes, and so seek professional facilitators in particular areas like the financial and legal sector.
“ACT Policing will target anyone who engages in illegal activity to help criminals retain and legitimise proceeds of crime.”
Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6695673. Information can be provided anonymously.
