Bangkok--27 May--Australian Embassy
Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, recently announced the establishment of a highly trained, specialist team of investigators to track the finances of people smugglers in order to track and prosecute criminal activity.
“Tracking and analysis of money flows and identifying who is involved is critical to uncovering criminal enterprises such as people smuggling,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Identifying the financing of people smuggling can uncover operational methods used, and identify who is involved and reaping the profits leading to prosecution of the crimes,” he said.
The establishment of the specialist investigative team to be based in the Australian Crime Commission is just one of a number of tough new measures the Government is pursuing to combat people smuggling.
The Minister also announced proposed changes to the regulation of the remittance sector, including changes which would allow authorities to deregister remitters that facilitate transfers of funds by people smugglers.
Remittance dealers accept cash, cheques and other forms of payment in one location and arrange the payment of an equivalent amount of cash or value to someone in another location, usually overseas.
“Australian and regional law enforcement authorities are aware that irregular immigrants use remittance dealers to facilitate payment to people smugglers,” Mr O’Connor said.
“We are committed to making sure that remittance dealers are not used to give smugglers the funds they need to organise their dangerous and illegal ventures and if they are they will be put out of business,” he said.