Police raid homes in southwest Sydney over money laundering

FEDERAL police seized more than $1.1 million in cash and arrested three people in dawn raids that busted an alleged Sydney money laundering syndicate suspected of funding terrorism.

FEDERAL police seized more than $1.1 million in cash and arrested three people in dawn raids that busted an alleged Sydney money laundering syndicate suspected of funding terrorism.

Eight households in Bass Hill and Bankstown woke to a barrage of ­counter-terrorism and riot police on Wednesday morning.

Residents were confused and furious at the arrival of police and media at their gates.

“Keep walking, keep going, don’t look at me,” one man told The Telegraph outside a property in South Crescent, Bankstown.

Men are led away from a home in Bass Hill following police raids. Picture: Dylan Robinson

The raids were part of a co-ordinated operation across southwest Sydney. Picture: Dylan Robinson

At Bass Hill, 27-year-old Fouad Moussa was led out of his modest weatherboard house on Chester Hill Rd in handcuffs and questioned for hours before being charged with dealing in proceeds of crime — an offence that potentially carries up to 20 years jail.

A neighbour who has lived on the street for 37 years said a group of men had lived at the house for 12 to 18 months.

The neighbour said the occupants “never left the property” and were very quiet.

A 25-year-old woman and 27-year-old man from Bankstown were charged with the same offence.

No charges have been laid at this stage. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Tactical police on the scene in south west Sydney where homes were raided this morning. Picture: TNV

NSW Police and AFP officers carry out a raid on a property at Bass Hill. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

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“The investigation relates to allegations of money laundering and dealing in the proceeds of crime,” the AFP said in a statement.

It also confirmed the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team — consisting of state and federal police and border cops — were part of the ­investigation, looking at whether the money being laundered and proceeds of crime were being used to prop up terror organisations here or overseas.

Properties have been raided across Sydney’s southwest. Picture: TNV

“There is a potential nexus to CT ­financing, as the matter is an ongoing investigation we will not make any further comment,” the AFP said.

Police claim cash totalling $1 million was found during the raids, and another $105,000 was uncovered in a Bankstown premises.

The investigation started in May, with input from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Vehicles were also searched in the raids and Australian Border Force sniffer dogs sent through the ­properties.

The investigation was unrelated to another major anti-terror sting by the AFP in Melbourne on Tuesday, which led to the arrest of 43-year-old Isa ­Kocoglu. He was accused of funding an American Islamic State fighter.

Moussa was granted bail to face Bankstown Court on November 15 and the Bankstown woman is due to face Sutherland Court on ­November 22.

The Bankstown man remains in custody.