International people smuggling ring disrupted

An international people smuggling ring has been disrupted with two men arrested in Victoria for people smuggling and money laundering.

A 64-year-old Shepparton man and a second Shepparton man, who is believed to be 21-years-old, will face Shepparton Magistrates Court on people smuggling and money laundering charges.

Police will allege in court that the men operated as people smuggling facilitators in Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia.

It will also be alleged that the men are linked to 68 Afghan asylum seekers who were detained in West Java, Indonesia, whilst attempting to travel to Australia via boat on 16 April 2009, and were responsible for facilitating the transfer of funds to support this people smuggling venture.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Operations Tony Negus said the arrest showed the success of collaborative work between the Australian Federal Police and the Indonesian National Police.

“This was a truly transnational investigation, with strong alleged links to Indonesia.”

“The AFP is committed to working with our international partners to combat crimes affecting both countries.”

The AFP investigation also included valuable assistance from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre.

The man believed to be 21-years-old has been charged with:

• Organisation or facilitation the bringing to Australia of five or more persons, who are unlawful non citizens to Australia, contrary to Section 232A of the Migration Act 1958
• Organisation or facilitation of the entry of another person into a foreign country that does not comply with that country’s law for entry into the country and having obtained or with the intention of obtaining a benefit, contrary to section 73.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995
• Organisation or facilitation of the entry of a group of at least five people into a foreign country that does not comply with that country’s law for entry into the country and having obtained or with the intention of obtaining a benefit, contrary to section 73.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995
• Dealing in proceeds of crime etc.—money or property worth $50,000 or more contrary to section 400.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)

He was remanded in custody today and is due to reappear in Shepparton Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The 64-year-old Shepparton man is expected to be charged later tonight, to face Shepparton Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The maximum penalty for the above offences is twenty years imprisonment.