ACT records largest restraint under criminal assets confiscation laws
ACT Policing has restrained assets totaling more than $10 million as part of an ongoing investigation, the largest restraint in the ACT’s history.
Yesterday (Monday 10 May 2021), ACT Policing’s Financial Investigations Team successfully applied to the Supreme Court for the restraint of two properties worth an estimated $2.8 million.
The two properties are in addition to five properties and multiple bank accounts restrained by ACT Policing in late March 2021.
These restraints relate to ACT Policing’s Operation Goeben, an investigation which began in March 2020 after an illegal brothel was discovered during a COVID-19 compliance check by City Police Station general duties members.
It launched a broader investigation by Criminal Investigations. With the cooperation of enforcement agencies, ACT Policing was able to link this address to a number of other illegal brothels and luxury properties within the ACT, NSW and QLD. Police will allege the money used to purchase these properties is the proceeds of crime.
ACT Policing, with the assistance of Australian Border Force and New South Wales Police, executed search warrants in late March 2021 across NSW and ACT, seizing additional evidence and financial records.
The properties restrained are located in Queensland, NSW and the ACT.
Detective Superintendent Scott Moller credited the success of this operation to the Canberra community as their on-going assistance and information has proved to be crucial at all stages of the investigation.
“We want to make it clear that assets, including houses, don’t need to be in the ACT to be restrained by ACT Policing. We have close working relationships with our partners allowing us to work cross border,” Detective Superintendent Moller said.
“The confiscation of criminal assets is an effective tool to assist in the prevention and disruption of serious and organised crime, and prevent the reinvestment of illegally obtained wealth into criminal activity.”
Anyone who may have information regarding a business or residences being used for any type of criminal activity in the ACT should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
Note: The restraint of accounts and assets is a civil matter between the police and the respondent. The court will determine eventual forfeiture to the government or return of assets based on the information provided by both parties.
Note to editors: B-roll footage of search warrant activity associated with this operation is available at: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/Loc2f3JyVI/dXMtMWZlZWZlOTQtMTMxOS00O...
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au