Australian drug dealer keeps Swiss cash

[Oz]

Switzerland's top court has ruled that a convicted Australian drug trafficker can reclaim some 317,000 euros ($A522,240) from a Swiss bank account that had been seized by authorities.

 

The Federal Tribunal overturned a previous decision by the government to confiscate the funds, which were first deposited in 1987.

 

The trafficker, whose identity was not revealed, was sentenced to nine years in prison in Australia in 1996 for importing 15 tonnes of cannabis into the country three years previously.

 

Upon his release, he travelled to Geneva and, presenting a false passport, asked to reclaim the money from the bank.

 

The bank was suspicious and alerted authorities, who investigated the case and decided to confiscate the money.

 

The Federal Tribunal ruled however that the criminal activities had no connection with Switzerland, and that in any case, the funds had been placed in the bank some six years before the drug offence for which the Australian was convicted.

 

The court also ruled that Switzerland must compensate the trafficker to the tune of 1,800 euros ($A2,965).

Author: AFP

Date: 26/05/08

Source: SMH

Copyright: 2008. The Sydney Morning Herald.