Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jan 2001
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  +61 8 94823830
Website: http://www.thewest.com.au/20010103/
Author: Bronwyn Peace

BIG GRAB - SWOOP ON $2.5M ASSETS

THE alleged head of a big drug-running operation looks set to have 
his assets seized under property confiscation laws which came into 
effect on New Year's Day.

Director of Public Prosecutions Robert Cock QC has been given the 
green light to swoop on assets worth an estimated $2.5 million owned 
by Paul Musarri, of Westminster. Supreme Court Justice Christopher 
Steytler granted an order to freeze the assets on Monday.

Accountants, lawyers and others with knowledge of Mr Musarri's 
finances will be probed in the Supreme Court under the same laws. 
This means any further assets owned by Mr Musarri could be uncovered 
and confiscated.

Mr Musarri is alleged to head one of WA's drug syndicates. Last year, 
he was charged with conspiring to possess 525g of heroin - worth up 
to $500,000 on the street - with intent to sell or supply and two 
counts of supplying amphetamines.

The assets which have been frozen include three cars, properties in 
Redcliffe and Balga and shares in Telstra, Central Kalgoorlie Gold 
Mines, Charter Pacific and Metal Storm. Other properties set to be 
seized are in Bayswater, Innaloo, south Guildford, Port Hedland, 
Bassendean and Malaga. They are owned by Mr Musarri through his 
company, Malaga Holdings.

Mr Cock said yesterday it was the first time the DPP had applied for 
a freezing order under the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 
and represented the biggest amount of assets frozen under the new 
law. "This is certainly the first large one," Mr Cock said.

The DPP had frozen Mr Musarri's assets under the old confiscation Act 
but discontinued this yesterday after implementing the new Act.

Mr Cock said the new Act gave prosecutors the chance to freeze assets 
on the suspicion they had been bought with dirty money and meant Mr 
Musarri's assets could be seized regardless of whether he was found 
guilty of the drugs charges. "Now forfeiture can occur regardless of 
the trial," he said. "Parliament has allowed us to have this extra 
string to our bow in the law."

Mr Cock said Mr Musarri had 28 days to lodge an objection to the 
freezing order and fight to regain his property. If he did not lodge 
the objection, the property would be forfeited to the crown and sold.

Mr Cock said the money would then be dispersed by Attorney-General 
Peter Foss to fund programs such as drug rehabilitation and to help 
the victims of crime.
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