A 33-year-old man has been charged as part of an ongoing investigating targeting suspected money laundering activity linked to residential brothels.
The investigation, which commenced after intelligence regarding financial transactions of concern was received from the ANZ bank, established links between residential brothels in Western Australia and an Asian Established Criminal Network. It is alleged the criminal network employs the use of sex workers from Thailand and China, with money earnt from the brothels being laundered back to Asia.
As part of the investigation, on Tuesday 12 November 2019 detectives from the Proceeds of Crime Squad’s Meth Money Team stopped a black Mercedes Benz on Pier Street, Perth. It will be alleged the driver of the vehicle, a 33-year-old man, was in possession of just over $95,000 cash and $10,000 worth of store gift cards.
Several search warrants were then executed at residential brothels, where it will be alleged further cash and other items of interest were located. The search warrants were conducted in company of Australian Border Force personnel.
Ten sex workers who were identified to be Foreign Nationals (Thai and Chinese) in Australia on visas were referred to Australian Border Force for further assessment.
A 33-year-old man from City Beach has been charged with Possession of Stolen or Unlawfully Obtain Property. He appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday 12 December 2019, and is next due to appear in the same court on Thursday 9 January 2020.
He has also been charged with 28 counts of Property Laundering in relation to the laundering of $198,666.00. He is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday 16 January 2020 in relation to those charges.
Detective Sergeant Matt Edmunds from the Proceeds of Crime Squad said there will be ongoing investigations surrounding the organised crime element of residential brothels in Western Australia.
“The involvement of established criminal networks in the operation of residential brothels causes great concern to police. Such involvement is known to lead to other serious crimes being committed, including money laundering.
“While there are women who make a conscious decision to become involved in the sex industry, there are also many cases where young and/or vulnerable women are coerced into being involved, or who find it difficult to stop being involved in the industry due to the controlling nature of those involved in running the operations, particularly for workers who are in Australia on temporary visas.
“WA Police Force works closely with Australian Border Force in relation to suspected breaches of the Migration Act, and where there is evidence of human trafficking elements the Australian Federal Police are advised.”
Australian Border Force I Australian Federal Police