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Five arrested in NSW police-FBI joint operation over alleged drug trafficking Five arrested in NSW police-FBI joint operation over alleged drug trafficking
(about 9 hours later)
Five men have been arrested over alleged international drug trafficking and money laundering following a joint investigation between NSW Police and the United States FBI that started more than four years ago. Five men have been arrested in connection with an alleged international criminal network, allegedly with ties to drug trafficking and money laundering, following a joint investigation between New South Wales police and the FBI.
Detectives arrested three men in Sydney on Thursday night while a fourth man – a 54-year-old music promoter – was arrested in Melbourne. Detectives arrested three men in Sydney on Thursday night while another was arrested in the US by the FBI for drug offences and money laundering, NSW police said in a statement.
A fifth man was arrested in the US by the FBI for drug offences and money laundering, NSW Police said in a statement. The men detained in Sydney were Craig Haeusler, 55, Michael Croke , 65, a Kings Cross solicitor and Zeki Atilgan, a 32-year-old pastry shop owner from Auburn.
Fairfax Media has named the music promoter as Andrew McManus and reports the detained Sydney men were Craig Haeusler, Kings Cross solicitor Michael Croke and Auburn pastry shop owner Zeki Atilgan. US businessman Owen Hanson Jr was arrested in San Diego where he will appear before a judge on Friday to apply for bail.
US businessman Owen Hanson Jr was arrested while playing golf in San Diego, Fairfax reports. NSW police will seek to extradite Hanson Jr to Sydney on arrest warrants for money laundering, perverting the course of justice and intent to defraud by false or misleading statement, as well as an additional charge of supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs. Hanson Jr was the only one of the five to be charged with drug offences.
A fifth man, 54-year-old music promoter Andrew McManus, was arrested at Melbourne airport on Thursday night.
NSW detectives started investigating the alleged syndicate in August 2011 following the seizure of $702,000 cash from a man at a Sydney hotel.NSW detectives started investigating the alleged syndicate in August 2011 following the seizure of $702,000 cash from a man at a Sydney hotel.
A court case was brought against NSW Police for the return of the cash when it was claimed the money was payment for an international band that had toured Australia. A court case was brought against NSW police for the return of the cash when it was claimed the money was payment for an international band that had toured Australia.
But the police won and in late 2014 conducted raids in Sydney and Victoria, which netted $68,000 cash, drugs, steroids, documents and electronic equipment.But the police won and in late 2014 conducted raids in Sydney and Victoria, which netted $68,000 cash, drugs, steroids, documents and electronic equipment.
The operation also uncovered information regarding the alleged importation of 300kg of cocaine from Mexico to Australia via the US. That operation also uncovered information regarding the alleged importation of 300kg of cocaine from Mexico to Australia via the US.
Since then, police have been investigating alleged drug trafficking between Mexico, the US and Australia, and associated money laundering.Since then, police have been investigating alleged drug trafficking between Mexico, the US and Australia, and associated money laundering.
Australian Crime Commission NSW manager Warren Gray said “investigations like this one affirm the effectiveness of ‘following the money’”.Australian Crime Commission NSW manager Warren Gray said “investigations like this one affirm the effectiveness of ‘following the money’”.
NSW police have charged a 55-year-old man with perverting the course of justice, intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group. Haeusler, 55, was charged with perverting the course of justice, intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group.
A 65-year-old has been charged with perverting the course of justice, three counts of intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group. Croke, 65, was charged with perverting the course of justice, three counts of intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group.
A 32-year-old man was charged with two counts of money laundering. Atilgan was charged with two counts of money laundering.
They have been bailed to appear at Sydney courts at later dates.They have been bailed to appear at Sydney courts at later dates.
The 54-year-old music promoter arrested in Melbourne has been charged with perverting the course of justice, two counts of intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group. McManus, who denies any wrongdoing, was charged with perverting the course of justice, two counts of intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group.