XN000022-1989-07-30 — Page 6

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SUNDAY, JULY 30, 1989

THE ACAF IS A GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED ADVISORY BODY TO PROVIDE A FORMALISED CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES PRODUCTION AND THE FORMULATION OF LONG-TERM POLICIES FOR THE RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1989-90 TERM ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.

FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION GROUP SET UP TO ENFORCE

NEW DRUG TRAFFICKING LAW

* * * * *

WHEN NEW LAWS TO PREVENT NARCOTICS

RACKETEERS FROM RECYCLING

THE VAST SUMS OF MONEY GAINED THROUGH THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES BECOME EFFECTIVE IN SEPTEMBER. THE POLICE FORCE'S SPECIALLY ORGANISED FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION GROUP (FIG) UNDER THE NARCOTICS BUREAU WILL BE READY.

THE DRUG TRAFFICKING RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS } BILL WILL INTRODUCE SWEEPING NEW POWERS ΤΟ ALLOW THE SEQUESTRATION OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE NARCOTICS TRADE.

SET UP LAST MAY THE FIG HAS ASSEMBLED A 30 STRONG STAFF OF SPECIALISTS. IT HAS ORGANISED THE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING OF INTELLIGENCE AND IS SENDING OFFICERS OVERSEAS TO STUDY HOW TO MAKE DRUG CRIMINALS PAY FOR THEIR CRIMES THROUGH THEIR POCKETS.

"WHEN THE BILL BECOMES LAW ON SEPTEMBER 1 WE WILL BE WAITING OUTSIDE BANKS WHEN THEY OPEN THEIR DOORS." STAFF OFFICER OF THE FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION GROUP, MR STUART MCDOUALL, SAID.

EVEN BEFORE THE BILL BECAME LAW DISCLOSURES WERE BEING MADE THE FIG, FROM BANKS AND OVERSEAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

TO

MR MCDOUALL SAID: "WE HAVE HAD TWO DISCLOSURES FROM BANKS RELATING TO SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS AND TWO FROM UNITED STATES AGENCIES WHICH WE ARE INVESTIGATING ON A JOINT OPERATIONS BASIS. WE ALSO HAVE TWO INTELLIGENCE-BASED INVESTIGATIONS GOING ON.'

TO

HAVE HELD

IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEW LEGISLATION FIG OFFICERS MEETINGS WITH THE BANKING SECTOR ON HOW INVESTIGATIONS ON SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS CAN BE CONDUCTED IN STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY,

"THE BANKS ARE KEEN TO HAVE THIS LEGISLATION," MR MCDOUALL SAID, "BECAUSE IT WILL GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GET RID OF ACCOUNTS THEY DON'T WANT."

AT THE REQUEST OF BANKS A THREE MONTH GRACE PERIOD IS BEING ALLOWED ON A CLAUSE IN THE BILL RELATING TO THE LAUNDERING OF MONEY.

/"THIS WILL