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Australian police and FBI bust international drug ring Australia police and FBI arrest five in drug smuggling probe
(about 4 hours later)
Australian police have arrested a music promoter, an American businessman, and three others linked to an alleged international drug ring. Five people including a prominent Australian music promoter have been arrested in a joint Australian and FBI anti-drug smuggling operation.
The five men face trafficking and money laundering charges following a joint investigation involving the FBI. The case allegedly involves drug money which was laundered through casinos, New South Wales police said.
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 A$700,000 ($495,000; £320,000) in cash 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. The men face various charges including trafficking, money laundering and participating in a criminal group.
One of the men arrested, Australian music promoter Andrew McManus, said he made the money from a Lenny Kravitz tour. Four of them, including a man named by the Australian media as music promoter Andrew McManus, were arrested in Australia, and the fifth in the US.
"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. Mr McManus's lawyer said he would "strenuously defend the charges that have been brought against him", AFP news agency reports.
"It's not the proceeds of crime, it's the proceeds of Andrew McManus." The NSW Police statement did not name any of the men.
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. The case dates back to a swoop on the Sydney hotel in 2011 where A$702,000 was found in a suitcase.
Mr McManus has been charged with perverting the course of justice and knowingly participating in a criminal group to assist crime. New South Wales (NSW) Police had faced legal action to return the money following a claim that it was legitimate payment for a concert tour, but the case was thrown out of court.
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. Then 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.
He was arrested by the FBI in San Diego where he remains in custody. The operation also uncovered information relating to the alleged importation of 300kg (600 pounds) of cocaine from Mexico to Australia, via the US.
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.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. NSW Det Supt Scott Cook told reporters: "We'll allege that the criminal network involved has been importing cocaine to Australia [and] that approximately A$5m or so has been laundered as a result of that importation."
"The A$702,000 that we seized in 2011 related to that," he said, saying it would have been passed to a professional gambler in Australia.
Mr McManus, who has organised tours and events for several high profile international bands, was arrested in Melbourne, Victoria on Thursday evening.
He has been charged with perverting the course of justice and making a false statement, both offences allegedly relating to the money seized in the hotel and the court case to reclaim it. He was also charged with knowingly participating in a criminal group to assist crime.
Police said two men aged 32 and 55, and a 65-year-old solicitor from Sydney, were also detained in New South Wales and charged with offences in connection with the investigation.
The man arrested in the US was American businessman Owen Hanson. He was detained by the FBI while playing golf in San Diego.
Australian police want to extradite him to Australia 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.