Crime Stoppers CEO in Geraldton for Economic Summit to warn of organised crime hiding in legitimate business

While the focus of much of the Midwest Economic Summit was on green energy and hydrogen production, one presentation took on a different theme with Crime Stoppers Dr CEO Vince Hughes visiting Geraldton to talk to business leaders to be vigilant about organised crime infiltrating their companies. The talk was a part of a campaign by Crime Stoppers targeting organised crime and the illicit drug trade. Dr Hughes said the main focus of his speech was to encourage people to be aware that others may be using their positions in legitimate businesses to aid organised crime, and that they can anonymously report these people to Crime Stoppers. “Organised criminals will infiltrate organizations, because they have to have a way of legitimising the cash, the outcome of selling drugs,” he said. “We’re not saying it happens all the time, but we know it is happening.” Given the amount of money circulating from the illegal drug trade, Dr Hughes said money laundering under the noses of businesses was a serious issue. “In the trucking industry for instance, if you have a driver with a route from A to B, but the driver is deviating, maybe look into that,” he said. “It could be that someone has asked them ‘I know you are going from A to B, can you just drop this off for me as well? No drugs, just cash.’” Anyone with information about illicit drug supply or trafficking can contact Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestoppers.com.au or by calling a toll-free hotline on 1800 333 000.