The Australian Federal Police has seized $1 million in cash and charged a 34-year-old West Australian man with dealing in the proceeds of crime as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering.
Investigators arrested Christopher Alan Dean around 6pm on Thursday in a car park at City Beach, and seized about $1 million cash from the boot of the vehicle he was driving.
Christopher Alan Dean.Credit:Facebook
Investigators also executed a search warrant at Dean’s home in Perth’s northern suburbs, where they seized a mobile phone and a minor amount of cash.
It will be alleged the man was linked to local criminal groups.
Dean appeared briefly in Perth Magistrates Court over the charge on Friday.
The police prosecutor told the court the money was allegedly found in a duffel bag in the boot of the car, under the flooring where the spare tire sits.
She said bail was opposed because if he was found guilty, he was facing up to 25 years behind bars.
His lawyer argued this was unlikely, with other similar cases resulting in less time, and said the possible sentence should not be used as a reason to refuse bail.
He also said his client worked as a ceiling and wall fixer, earned $2500 per week after tax and was the sole earner for his family.
Christopher Alan Dean was arrested by the AFP on Thursday in Perth’s beachside suburb of City Beach.Credit:AFP
If bail was refused, he would not be able to assist in mortgage repayments on the family home in Ballajura.
Dean was remanded in custody and will appear in court on Tuesday, when a decision on bail will be made.
The AFP investigation was part of Operation PHOBETOR-ATLAS, involving the AFP, New South Wales Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
AFP Detective Inspector John Whitehead said money laundering networks helped criminals access the profits from their Australian crimes by moving the proceeds offshore.
“Money laundering is a key enabler of organised crime and drug trafficking and is a serious criminal enterprise in its own right,” he said.
“The AFP continues to work tirelessly to prevent criminals from profiting off the misery of Australians.”
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