2008/03/04

"I transferred funds overseas to Mokbel - I think I was money laundering," RHS 3030 said.An associate of Tony Mokbel said he realised it was a "silly idea" to send large sums of money to the fugitive drugs baron while he was hiding in Greece."In hindsight, it was a silly idea at the time, but I was doing it as a favour for a mate."Investigators believe as much as $400,000 was sent to Mokbel as he evaded arrest.The man, who can only be identified as RHS3030, was giving evidence in the trial of nine men accused of manufacturing 42kg of amphetamines.They are alleged to be key members in an amphetamine manufacturing network known as "The Company" which was controlled by Mokbel until his arrest in Greece in June last year.
The hearing, before magistrate Maurice Gurvich, also heard that RHS3030 had given his passport to Mokbel "for analysis" but never received it back.Mokbel skipped bail with a false passport in the middle of his trial on cocaine importation charges last year and was convicted and sentenced in absentia to a minimum of nine years' jail.He is now fighting extradition to Australia from jail in Athens RHS3030 also recalled how he had made a room available in his house for the manufacture of amphetamines, although he had played no part in the process.
"I saw 10 bags weighing around two kilograms each," he said.
RHS3030, who was a long-term user of cocaine, said he believed he was immune to prosecution in return for giving evidence in the case.
"I believe I have indemnity but there was no promise going forward," he said.
The accused face six charges each including trafficking commercial quantities of methamphetamines worth $4.2 million and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

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