TORONTO – Crimebeat – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) led Toronto Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC), working in conjunction with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) directorate have successfully dismantled an international bulk cash smuggling network responsible for laundering millions of dollars derived from drug distribution throughout Canada, United States, Mexico, and Colombia.
The Canadian portion of the investigation began in September 2008, as a result of information from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Miami Field Office. ICE and RCMP infiltrated the criminal organization responsible for laundering bulk cash from Canada. Toronto IPOC investigators seized approximately 1.7 million dollars in cash that the criminal organization was intent on laundering. All of that money seized by Toronto IPOC was bulk cash and was concealed in large suitcases and duffel bags.
Convicted of possession of proceeds of crime at Old City Hall in Toronto on September 14, 2011, in relation to the cash seized, was Tuan Van Dihn of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Inspector Mark Pearson Officer in Charge of Toronto Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit commented: “Our Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit was established to target criminals and the unlawful profit derived from the commission of criminal offences. Our ability to seize, restrain, and forfeit proceeds of criminal activity allows us to dismantle criminal organizations and enhances the safety & security of the communities in which we live. In this joint investigation Canadian law enforcement successfully forfeited 1.7 million dollars and removed it from the hands of a criminal organization.”
Toronto IPOC is an integrated unit comprised of police personnel from the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto Police Service, as well as personnel from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada Seized Property Management Directorate and Forensic Accountant Management Group, Revenue Canada, and Canada Border Services Agency. The conviction and forfeiture in Canada was the direct result of inter-agency cooperation.