Two SA men charged with money laundering

The AFP began investigating an alleged gang after large cash deposits were made into multiple bank accounts.

Two South Australian men have appeared in court accused of laundering large amounts of money with a suspicious origin.

Christopher Back, 60, of Adelaide, and Hosein Tavakoli, 40, of Findon, were charged by the Australian Federal Police with allegedly dealing with suspected proceeds of crime relating to illegal drug imports.

Mr Tavakoli was charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of crime greater than $1m and one count of allegedly refusing to provide access to a computer or phone.

Mr Back was charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of crime greater than $100,000.

Both men appeared at The Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday. They will appear in The Adelaide Magistrates Court again in July.

The AFP began an investigation last October into an alleged money laundering gang, after cash deposits were made into multiple bank accounts over several months.

Police identified both South Australian men in during the investigation.

AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said unexplained sources of wealth were often a sign of underlying criminal activity.

“We suspect the cash identified through this investigation was not lawfully earned and is the proceeds of crime,” she said.

“The AFP is committed to ensuring people do not profit from exploiting the wider community. If we suspect people are living a lifestyle they cannot lawfully justify, we will seize and restrain those assets and seek an explanation before the court.”