A man and a woman have appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court this week (25 and 26 July 2019) following an AFP investigation into a money laundering syndicate based out of Melbourne.
The arrests stem from Operation Hermoor, an Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) operation which saw six people arrested for alleged tobacco importation and money laundering in August 2018.
(Relevant media release: Six arrested and nearly $1 million in cash seized following operation in Melbourne)
On Wednesday and Thursday (24 and 25 July 2019) this week officers from the AFP arrested the two Malaysian nationals, both aged 24, in Melbourne.
On Wednesday (24 July 2019) the 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with allegedly dealing in proceeds of crime - money or property worth $1,000,000 or more contrary to section 400.3(2) of the Criminal Code. Following the arrest a search warrant was executed on the man's home in the Melbourne CBD where officers seized a number of items including approximately $1.2 million in cash.
On Thursday (25 July 2019) the 24-year-old woman was located and arrested in Hawthorn, Melbourne and was also charged with dealing in proceeds of crime - money or property worth $1,000,000 or more contrary to section 400.3(2) of the Criminal Code.
The maximum penalty for dealing in the proceeds of crime offences is 12-years imprisonment.
The 24-year-old man appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday (25 July 2019) where he was refused bail and remanded.
The 24-year-old woman appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court today (26 July 2019) where she was also refused bail and remanded.
AFP Acting Superintendent Dean Chidgey, AFP National Coordinator Money Laundering said police remain committed to apprehending the perpetrators of these crimes.
"The AFP is committed to disrupting the flow of proceeds of criminal activity, be it on or off-shore, by seizing cash, and arresting and prosecuting people responsible for assisting organised crime groups to profit from their criminal activity."
Earlier this week a 36-year-old Sydney man appeared before a Perth Magistrates Court following an investigation into a money laundering syndicate based out of Sydney. These matters are not linked.
(Relevant media release: Man arrested for laundering $7.7 million)
