The NSW Government has armed law enforcement with new powers to confiscate unexplained wealth and the proceeds of crime with tough new laws targeting organised crime passing NSW Parliament.
The laws are part of a suite of game changing reforms introduced by the NSW Government that target organised crime, including tougher penalties for money laundering and new offences to target the use of dedicated encrypted criminal communication devices.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the NSW Government has acted swiftly to provide law enforcement with exactly what it needs to tackle the changing face of organised crime.
“These are the State’s toughest ever organised crime laws and will cut organised criminals off at the source, incapacitating them financially so they can no longer reap the benefits of their insidious crimes,” Mr Toole said.
“In the last six months alone we have introduced world-leading legislation, tougher penalties and new powers to put our police and law enforcement agencies in the strongest position yet to fight organised crime.
“Gone are the days when criminal gangs can slip under the radar and hide their ill-gotten gains. If you are living the high life off the proceeds of crime, expect a knock at the door from police with a warrant to seize your most prized possessions.
“The NSW Government is backing our police every step of the way and these reforms are exactly what police they tell us they need to attack the very core of these criminal networks and keep our communities safe.”
The organised crime reforms the NSW Government has introduced in the last six months include:
- New powers for law enforcement to confiscate unlawfully acquired assets of major convicted drug traffickers
- Enhanced powers for law enforcement to target and confiscate unexplained wealth
- Expanded powers for law enforcement to stop and search for unexplained wealth and more effectively investigate organised crime
- New money laundering offences for those dealing with and caught trying to disguise the proceeds of general crime.
- A new offence that prohibits the possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device (DECCD) – and orders to target high risk individuals likely to use them
- New powers to enable police to direct a person to provide access to a digital device, which is akin to gaining the keys to a safe
- New laws for the security industry to target industry integrity and safeguard against misconduct and organised crime
- New laws for the scrap metal industry to strengthen registration requirements and make it harder for illegitimate dealers who pay criminals cash in exchange for stolen parts and property to operate
- New laws making it illegal for members of a criminal organisation to hold a tattoo licence.
New South Wales Acting Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the reforms will target organised criminals from every angle and are a huge asset in the fight against organised crime.
“We will seize their illegally acquired assets, take away their loopholes, and ban their methods of communication,” Acting Commissioner Lanyon said.
“We are committed to using every power available to us in the dismantling of criminal networks across this State.”