ORGANISED crime figures will be stripped of “unexplained wealth” under a raft of new policing measures being brought in by the State Government.
Under the legislation, the NSW Crime Commission will have unprecedented powers to target major criminal figures.
Fifty per cent of confiscated money and assets will go into the Victims Compensation Fund.
Last year, $24 million of criminal assets, including real estate, large sums of cash, prestige vehicles, motorcycles, boats, jewellery, spa baths, plasma televisions and casino chips, were seized under the Criminal Asset Recovery Act.
“Organised crime bosses and major drug traffickers often go to extraordinary lengths to hide the source of their tainted assets from the reach of law enforcement agencies,” Premier Kristina Keneally said.
“This is about lifting the lid on the ill-gotten gains of major crimes in NSW.
“It will send a powerful message to crime figures.
“Converting sports cars and luxury homes that are obtained through criminal activity into compensation to help victims heal and put their lives back together is one of the most important things we can achieve with this law.”
Under existing laws, police must prove the money and assets are the proceeds of criminal activity but the new laws will give the NSW Crime Commission greater powers.
This will include allowing police to pursue unexplained wealth accumulated by a suspect over an unlimited period of time, rather than being restricted to a six-year period.
Attorney General John Hatzistergos said the new laws would also apply to family members or associates who may be holding wealth derived from the proceeds of serious criminal activities.
The NSW Government would brief other states and territories to ensure there were no loopholes, he added.
Source: whereilive
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