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| Australian police and FBI bust international drug ring | Australian police and FBI bust international drug ring |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Australian police have arrested a music promoter, an American businessman, and three others linked to an alleged international drug ring. | Australian police have arrested a music promoter, an American businessman, and three others linked to an alleged international drug ring. |
| The five men face trafficking and money laundering charges following a joint investigation involving the FBI. | The five men face trafficking and money laundering charges following a joint investigation involving the FBI. |
| The probe was sparked by the discovery of more than A$700,000 ($495,000; £320,000) at a Sydney hotel in 2011. | The probe was sparked by the discovery of more than A$700,000 ($495,000; £320,000) at a Sydney hotel in 2011. |
| New South Wales (NSW) Police faced legal action to return the money but the case was thrown out of court. | |
| One of the men arrested, Australian music promoter Andrew McManus, said he made the money from a Lenny Kravitz tour. | |
| "I gave someone 700 large, and you've found someone with 700 large. It's my 700 large," Mr McManus reportedly told police in a 2012 interview. | "I gave someone 700 large, and you've found someone with 700 large. It's my 700 large," Mr McManus reportedly told police in a 2012 interview. |
| "It's not the proceeds of crime, it's the proceeds of Andrew McManus." | "It's not the proceeds of crime, it's the proceeds of Andrew McManus." |
| Mr McManus was giving the suitcase of cash to US businessman Owen Hanson Junior, as a repayment for money borrowed to secure a tour by US band ZZ Top. | Mr McManus was giving the suitcase of cash to US businessman Owen Hanson Junior, as a repayment for money borrowed to secure a tour by US band ZZ Top. |
| Mr McManus has been charged with perverting the course of justice and knowingly participating in a criminal group to assist crime. | Mr McManus has been charged with perverting the course of justice and knowingly participating in a criminal group to assist crime. |
| Australian police want to extradite Mr Hanson from San Diego to Sydney to face numerous charges, including money laundering, perverting the course of justice and being involved in the supply of a large amount of illegal drugs. | |
| He was arrested by the FBI in San Diego where he remains in custody. | He was arrested by the FBI in San Diego where he remains in custody. |
| Three other men involved are a Sydney crime figure, a pastry chef and a solicitor, according to local media. | Three other men involved are a Sydney crime figure, a pastry chef and a solicitor, according to local media. |
| In late 2014, Organised Crime Squad detectives launched a series of raids in Sydney and Melbourne, uncovering more than A$68,000 in cash, and drugs, steroids, documents and electronic equipment. | |
| The operation also uncovered information relating to the alleged importation of 300kg of cocaine from Mexico to Australia, via the US. | |
| Police said on Friday those drugs never made it to Australia. | |
| NSW Police are working with the San Diego Field Office of the FBI to investigate the alleged drug trafficking between the three countries, and associated money laundering offences. |