NCJ Number
93860
Journal
Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 35 Issue: 2 Dated: (1983) Pages: 49-55
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Since money and the accumulation of money, resources, and assets underpin the criminal groups engaged in the illegal drug trade in Australia,a law reform should focus on destroying the financial base of their activities.
Abstract
In its recommendations pertaining to law reform that will permit the more effective countering of drug trafficking, the Australian Royal Commission has recognized the significance of money in enabling drug trafficking enterprises to maintain operations in the face of arrests and convictions of individual traffickers. Money sustains the structure of an enterprise so that its activities are little affected by the loss of some individuals to the effort. Further, money facilitates the corruption of public officials and gives access to expertise and equipment useful to the criminal enterprise. The Commission has concluded that too few resources are being directed toward the financial ramifications of criminal activities and that Australian law is ill-equipped to deal with such ramifications. As a first step, the Commission recommended a simplified process involving an order for the payment of a sum calculated in reference to the profits derived from the illegal activity for which a conviction has been obtained, enforced by recourse against the property of the criminal. The Commission also recommends the development of investigative resources, skill, and knowledge pertinent to undermining the financial resources of drug trafficking enterprises. Six references are listed.