Sydney man sentenced after more than 600000 cash seized at Perth Airport
A 32-year-old Sydney man has been sentenced after AFP officers found $618,360 in cash hidden in his suitcase at Perth Airport, with the money believed to be proceeds of crime.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
A 32-year-old man from Kingsford in Sydney has been sentenced in the Sydney District Court after Australian Federal Police officers intercepted more than $600,000 in cash hidden in his suitcase at Perth Airport. The man was travelling through the domestic terminal on 14 March 2023 when aviation security screening flagged an anomaly in his luggage, prompting AFP members to attend and locate a large quantity of cash that was later counted and found to total $618,360.
When questioned by AFP officers, the man claimed the funds were cash payments linked to tobacco businesses and were intended to purchase a tobacconist in Perth, however he failed to produce any documentation proving the money was legitimate and later admitted the alleged sale never happened. He was initially charged with dealing in proceeds of crime before the AFP referred the case to Australian Border Force officials to prosecute associated customs offences. After pleading guilty in March, the man was sentenced on Friday to 16 months' imprisonment for dealing in proceeds of crime and two and a half years for the customs offences, with the sentences to be served concurrently via an Intensive Correction Order.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said law enforcement was alert to attempts by organised crime groups to use or move large amounts of cash to conceal and facilitate criminal activity. "Criminals who attempt to move significant amounts of unexplained cash through Australia's airports should expect to attract the attention of law enforcement," Det a/Supt Brindal said. "The AFP works closely with aviation and security partners to identify suspicious activity and disrupt criminal conduct. In this matter, the vigilance of security officers helped us to intercept this money. We will continue to target the movement of illicit cash suspected of being linked to criminal offending and hold those responsible to account."
The AFP is urging the public to adopt the "See it. Hear it. Report it." approach at airports, with behaviours to report including taking photos of security cameras, screening, or perimeter fencing, avoiding screening, leaving bags unattended, loitering, concealing identity, and exhibiting erratic behaviour. If you see it or hear it, report it to Airport Watch at 131 237 (131 AFP).
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