Jump to full article: Melbourne (Vic) Herald Sun (au), 2002-09-17
Author: KEITH MOOR
Intro: EAST Timor is in danger of being infiltrated by crime gangs intent on using it as a stepping stone to Australia.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said his force was working with the East Timorese Government to lessen the risks. . .
"Our experiences, our intelligence, about free-trade zones in other parts of the world is that they can become money-laundering centres," he said.
"Particularly money laundering tied up with tobacco.
"The sale of tobacco in free trade zones is recognised as a way of laundering money from drug production.
"So you come in with the cash and buy the tobacco and you then on-sell the tobacco and you have basically laundered your money. That's been our experience with the South American drug cartels, which are tied up with cocaine."
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