A police officer in New South Wales (NSW) sold over AU$1.3m (US$846,612) worth of gold bullion that he got from his uncle, who has a lengthy criminal record, and used the proceeds to feed his gambling addiction.
The officer allegedly used the money from the sale of the dozen gold bars to place online sports bets. The authorities were alerted to the matter when the country’s financial watchdog AUSTRAC learned about some suspicious bank transactions after the sale of a major amount of gold to a dealer who reportedly has links with money laundering.
served two stretches in prison for the supply of illegal drugs
He hid the source of wealth from both the precious metals dealer and the gambling operator when asked. The officer claimed that the gold originally came from their grandfather, who left it to his uncle after his death. The uncle has served two stretches in prison for the supply of illegal drugs.
The probe concluded that the officer had committed serious misconduct through his actions and the officer’s case now lies with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Investigators emphasized that police officers suffering from gambling addiction are ripe for criminals to exploit. That’s why the NSW Police Force is now considering proposals to ask incoming officers if they partake in gambling.
