More than $35 million in property and cash seized by South Australian Police last financial year reflects \"unfairly balanced\" laws targeting criminal assets, a civil libertarian says. <\/p>\n
SA Police this week said luxury cars, homes, jet skis, jewellery, boats and a large amount of cash were restrained by the courts last financial year in a tactic to target the profits of criminals. <\/p>\n
Superintendent Wayne Overmeyer said it had bolstered the confiscation branch's claim value from a comparatively small $9 million five years ago. <\/p>\n
But criminal defence lawyer and SA Council for Civil Liberties spokesperson George Mancini questioned the fairness of legislation targeting the proceeds of crime. <\/p>\n
\"Some years ago, there was a man who cultivated some cannabis in his home, and he lost his home,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"But his home had never been connected to crime, other than the fact it was being used this once to grow cannabis. It was certainly not bought from the proceeds of crime. <\/p>\n
\"Just because a person gets a criminal record, it doesn't mean everything they have is from the proceeds from crime. Many people will acquire property legitimately.\" <\/p>\n
Mr Mancini also questioned the figure claimed by police, saying the total dollar value would ultimately depend on the forfeit orders made by courts. <\/p>\n
\"It's one thing to say you've got $35 million restrained, but what's the actual yearly recovery?\" he said. <\/p>\n
Superintendent Overmeyer said the confiscation process included identifying potential assets prior to a planned raid by detectives. <\/p>\n
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$35 million in criminal profits seized by SA Police shows 'unfairly balanced' laws, civil libertarian says<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" More than $35 million in property and cash seized by South Australian Police last financial year reflects \"unfairly balanced\" laws targeting criminal assets, a civil libertarian says. Continue reading