Annual Report - COMPLETE - Australian Crime Commission

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Operation Dashi
Operation Dashi is an ACC/ATO/AFP
and ACS investigation into tax evasion
and money laundering associated
with tobacco smuggling. In October
2003, evidence of a second cigarette
importation, the fi rst of which occurred
in January 2003, was obtained. One
person was arrested by NSW Police
in December 2003 and charged with
the August 2003 murder of a witness
who was assisting Operation Dashi
in relation to the January cigarette
importation. Inquiries conducted during Operation Dashi led to the identifi cation
of linkages between a Sydney based tobacco smuggling group and a large scale
ecstasy production syndicate. As reported in 2002–03, ACC intelligence led to the
seizure of over 1,000 kgs of precursor chemicals.
Subsequent investigations in July 2003 led to the discovery in Wollongong, of one
of the largest clandestine laboratories ever uncovered in NSW and the seizure of a
further 700 kgs of precursors from the laboratory and a nearby service station. The
laboratory is believed to have manufactured signifi cant quantities of ecstasy between
January and July 2003.
Three people were arrested. The two principal fi gures behind the laboratory had been
of interest to Australian law enforcement for the past 15 years for their involvement
in the production and distribution of various narcotic commodities. ACC intelligence
was instrumental in the apprehension of these people and the dismantling of the
group and its drug manufacturing business.
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Swordfi sh Operation Pleco
Pleco is an ACC and ATO investigation into tax fraud involving a registered tax agent
and accountant. The tax agent was served with a Court Attendance Notice in relation to
20 counts of fraud on the Commonwealth amounting to approximately $435,000.
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70 I ACC ANNUAL REPORT 2003–04
Wollongong clandestine laboratory