More than $1 million found in suitcases left at Perth Airport sparked an interstate investigation into cash sources and arrests.
A New South Wales man was arrested for money laundering fees after arresting suspicion after leaving a suitcase filled with more than $1 million in cash on a plane at Perth Airport.
The 21-year-old Northlock appeared at Perth Magistrate Court after being arrested in Sydney and handed over to Western Australia, charged with one count related to money, which is the proceeds of crime. The biggest penalty is 12 years in prison.
The investigation began on February 17, 2025, when a man attempted to use his credit card to pay extra baggage fees for his suitcase at Perth Airport. Airline staff refused to pay and informed that flight bookings had been cancelled because the name on the card was different from the name on the boarding pass.
He had already put his bag on the conveyor, which was heading for the plane, but he left the terminal without waiting for it to be returned. Later that day, he returned and flew to Sydney on another airline.
The abandoned suitcase certainly attracted the attention of the police, and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) officially arrived with dogs trained to detect currency, firearms and drugs.
When the dog showed doubt about the incident, it was opened to show up 1,102,440 (US$703,000) of cash wrapped in a bundle of plastic.
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The 21-year-old Sydney man was arrested for money laundering fees after abandoning a suitcase containing $1.1 million at Perth Airport. Provided by AFP
Two days later, on February 19, AFP searched the man’s Sydney home and seized electronics and clothing for further testing.
At this stage, they don’t know how the man came to own such a large amount, but they argue that interstate investigations have successfully disrupt important money laundering activities.
“AFP is working vigorously with partners to protect the community and the Australian legitimate economy and to ensure that air travel is not used as part of the criminal supply chain,” said Detective Peter Chiwal said.
“Anyone who has a large amount of undeclared cash can place it in court to explain the source of that wealth.”
The investigation is still underway.
According to a 2024 risk assessment by the Australian Transaction Report and Analytics Centre (Austrac), drug crimes (including cultivation, manufacturing and human trafficking), tax and revenue crimes, and government-funded programs, the need for fraudulent programs. The highest value of illegal income is generated. laundry.
“The illicit drug market is a key factor in Australia’s money laundering,” the report said.
It assessed cash smuggling as a moderate risk, but said instances have declined as criminals move towards electronic wealth transfers.
Since AFP established the Money Laundering Task Force in March 2023, Austrak estimates that more than $421 million in cash and assets have been stolen by organized crime groups.
However, a 2022 report by the Australian Crime Institute (AIC) estimates that the amount of criminal revenue generated in Australia could be $43.7 billion.
