Caixia Li refused bail for alleged role in $7m money laundering syndicate
A Chinese national with ‘no ties to the community’ has been refused bail at a Burwood court, with the magistrate citing her flight risk, and alleged access to forged documents.
The Express
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A Chinese national alleged to be a key player in a money laundering and tobacco smuggling scheme was refused bail at Burwood Local Court yesterday.
Caixia Li was arrested in Campsie on May 5, 2021 and has been charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime with a value of more than $1m, importing tobacco products with intent to defraud revenue, and direct activities of a criminal organisation.
The court heard that the alleged criminal syndicate which Li played a key role in allegedly laundered $7m in Australia, and illegally brought in some $400,000 worth of tobacco.
The court heard the first charge alone, relating to the alleged money laundering, could result in a prison sentence of 25 years for Ms Li if found guilty.
The police prosecutor argued that as Ms Li is on a Class A bridging visa, she would not be able to re enter Australia if she left the country.
Mentioning Ms Li’s lack of ties to the community, the police prosecutor described her as an extreme flight risk.
The only family Ms Li has in Australia is her son, the court heard, who has also been charged in the case.
Ms Li’s lawyer applied for her to be let out on bail, arguing that she was not found to be in possession of any forged documents, while admitting that other members of the accused syndicate had allegedly made use of false passports.
Her lawyer offered that she would surrender her passport, report daily, and maintain a curfew, but the conditions were rebutted by Magistrate Arthur Miller, who agreed with the prosecutor that the risks were too high.
“There is information in the facts which indicates the organisation may have had access to people who had the ability to manufacture documents for the purpose of leaving the country or creating another identity,” said Magistrate Miller.
“I would simply not be satisfied that the bail concerns could be met.”
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