An Australian investigation into money-laundering and
drug trafficking has uncovered a powerful triad syndicate with top
Asian politicians and police involved, according to a report.
The four-year intelligence inquiry by the Australian Crime
Commission describes a multi-billion-dollar international drug and
money-laundering network that poses "a significant threat to the
Australian community".
The Sydney Morning Herald said a briefing outlining the findings
of Operation Dayu put senior Asian officials in the frame and
exposed a triad-led global criminal entity known as the
"grandfather syndicate".
It said intelligence was uncovered that the syndicate had
infiltrated a high level of government "in both law enforcement
agencies and political circles" in Asia, including China, Vietnam,
Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Macau.
"There are a number of other countries where this is suspected
but not apparent to date," the briefing, which has been supplied to
overseas agencies, reportedly said.
One example involved a "high-placed triad associate" of the
grandfather syndicate "attending an Interpol conference in New
York".
As part of its probe, the commission, an Australian government
criminal intelligence and investigation agency, was authorised to
send more than Aus$10 million (US$10.4 million) in suspected drug
funds offshore in an attempt to identify crime bosses.
Run in partnership with the Australian federal police and
Australia's anti-money-laundering agency Austrac, it seized drugs
worth an estimated $780 million.
The Australian Crime Commission could not be reached Saturday
for comment but the Herald said the briefing showed the syndicate
was responsible for at least Aus$1.2 billion worth of drug imports
to Australia annually.
"The pooling of resources of the main triad groups has allowed
them to merge their contacts, assets and holdings, creating a
well-established network of contacts across many governments as
well as legitimate business and company structures," the briefing
said.
The syndicate reportedly has "three main heads based in
Southeast Asia and at least 22 other primary seats (bosses)" around
the globe.
It pours billions of dollars into "high-profile Internet
gambling facilities, Asian hotel chains and resorts, commercial
construction companies, property companies in Hong Kong and Vietnam
(and) casinos".
To move money, the syndicate uses "highly-placed government
officials, banking staff ... (to) undercut any other overt or
covert money transfer facility", the Herald cited the briefing as
saying.
-- Yahoo!
