The media release below is issued by Australian Federal Police.
Proceeds of Crime returned to China
The Australian Government, represented by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), today presented China's Guangdong Provincial People's Procuratorate with confiscated proceeds of crime worth over AUD$4.16 million.
AFP Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Wood, today met with Mr Zheng Hong, the Director General of the Guangdong Provincial People's Procuratorate and presented a cheque for $4,160,259.81, at a ceremony in Guangzhou.
“The repatriation of these proceeds of crime to the People's Republic of China demonstrates the strength of the relationship between Australian and Chinese authorities in combating transnational crime,” Mr Wood said.
“The property and money was forfeited to the Commonwealth as a result of civil forfeiture proceedings that were only undertaken following valuable assistance from Chinese authorities”.
“The AFP continues to build strong relationships with Chinese law enforcement authorities, which is evidenced by the ongoing success in investigations of transnational crimes.”
Areas of priority for Australia in terms of transnational crimes include people smuggling, economic crimes, terrorism and illicit drugs.
In June 2007, the AFP, in cooperation with the Guangdong People’s Procuratorate, commenced action under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cwth) to restrain property and money believed to be the proceeds of funds misappropriated from a Chinese local government which were later sent via Hong Kong to Australia.
AFP National Manager Economic and Special Operations, Assistant Commissioner Mandy Newton said, “This is an excellent example of how international cooperation between law enforcement agencies can not only combat transnational crime, but ensure that criminals do not have the opportunity to profit from illegal activities.”
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 provides for the repatriation of restrained funds. Under the equitable sharing program, the Minister for Home Affairs has discretion to return funds to a foreign country in recognition of assistance leading to the recovery of funds.
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