Detectives from WA Police Force's Serious and Organised Crime Division seized 4kg of Methylamphetamine and millions of dollars in cash as part of an ongoing operation targeting illicit commodities being moved across the state border.
With the assistance of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission detectives from the Organised Crime Squad identified several vehicles of interest crossing the border into Western Australia. With the assistance of detectives from the Gang Crime Squad and Drug & Firearm Squad several intercepts were made.
In October 2020 detectives from the Organised Crime Squad seized six cardboard boxes, which contained a total of $5,986,970.00 cash. It is believed the cash was destined for New South Wales. The cash seizure is believed to be linked to a seizure of 4kg of Methylamphetamine in August 2020.
Four men have since been arrested and charged in relation to the seizure of the cash, and each has been charged with 'Laundering Property/Money from Proceeds of Major Offence'. Those men are:
- A 61-year-old man from Caversham
- A 33-year-old man from Stirling
- A 31-year-old man from Butler
- A 27-year-old man from Banksia Grove
All four men were refused bail and are progressing through the court process.
The 27-year-old Banksia Grove man has also been charged in relation to the August 2020 seizure of the 4kg of Methylamphetamine. A 32-year-old man from Scarborough, who it will be alleged was found in possession of the 4kg of Methylamphetamine at the time of its seizure, was charged in August 2020 and is continuing through the court process.
As part of the ongoing operation two trucks were intercepted on Thursday 5 November 2020.
The first truck was intercepted by detectives from the Organised Crime Squad in Meckering. It is believed the truck had recently arrived in Western Australia, and was heading back across the border. The truck is currently subject of an ongoing comprehensive search. So far $2,942,130.00 cash has been located.
The two occupants of the truck – a 53-year-old man from New South Wales and a 47-year-old man from Queensland – were arrested. They were both charged with 'Laundering Property/Money from Proceeds of Major Offence' and were refused bail.
A 42-year-old man from Alkimos was also arrested. It will be alleged he delivered the cash to the occupants of the truck. He has been charged with 'Laundering Property/Money from Proceeds of Major Offence' and was refused bail.
The second truck was intercepted by detectives from the Gang Crime Squad in Coolgardie. That truck is also subject of an ongoing comprehensive search. A significant amount of cash has been located, which is yet to be counted.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Allan Adams from State Crime Command said detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Division continue to identify and disrupt Serious and Organised Crime Groups who are attempting to transport illicit drugs and cash across our state border.
"In recent weeks those efforts resulted in two significant cash seizures – one involving almost $6 million cash, and the other involving almost $3 million cash.
"In both those cases it is believed the cash was heading back to the east coast of Australia, where it would have likely been used to fund further drug distribution activities.
"Seizing cash from these drug networks is a critical component of disrupting and dismantling their activities, but most importantly it means we have prevented the cash being used to repeat the community harm cycle it would have funded.
"WA Police Force will continue to focus on border operations - work which is done in partnership with our state and Commonwealth law enforcement and intelligence partners."
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