Gagandeep Pahwa who runs a security company in Sydney’s south-west was arrested on Thursday, for allegedly masterminding an organised money laundering syndicate in excess of $100 million.
The 30-year-old businessman’s alleged girlfriend, Gopali Dahl who worked alongside him as the director of the security company was also arrested, along with a 29-year-old employee.
The alleged crime came to light on the back of another unrelated police investigation into a large-scale drug racket, also in south-west Sydney, which led to the arrest of three unrelated men, earlier this year.
As a result of the discovery, raids were conducted by the police at Mr Pahwa’s security company office in Guildford West, a second business office in the CBD and at a home in Merrylands West.
A number of money counting machines, $400,000 in cash, $10,000 of gold bullion, electronic devices, a small number of drugs, computers, a Ford Mustang and designer jewellery were seized during the searches.
Investigators also seized financial documentation, which will be examined by forensic accountants.
Describing the investigation as ‘complex,’ Detective Chief Inspector Nick Read said the police believed that "all of the money was proceeds of organised crime and that certainly remains part of our investigation.”
“This has been a very complex and long investigation. It is continuing and we do expect to make further arrests in future,” Detective Read added.
According to the police, the group has been reportedly running the operation since 2016 and allegedly laundered money by physically collecting the cash through the security business, which was then moved to several accounts to “give it legitimacy.”
The cash was then allegedly withdrawn, returned to crime syndicates or sent overseas, as per the police.
All three have been charged with knowingly dealing with the proceeds of the crime, with intent to conceal not less than $100 Million. Mr Pahwa has also been charged with knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.
They have all been refused bail, with the men to appear at Parramatta Local Court, and the woman to appear at Fairfield Local Court, later today.
Background:
Mr Pahwa, a known name in Indian community was previously listed as the owner of Pahwa Group of Companies Pty Ltd. which owns the concerned security company Assure Protection Services, formerly known as the Sharp Eyes Security Services Pty Ltd, according to company records.
He also runs an event management company, Universal Productions Worldwide, which has in the past organised concerts of established Punjabi artists in Australia including one of famous Pakistani-American rapper, Bohemia.
SBS Punjabi is not suggesting that Mr Pahwa’s production company is also involved or linked to the alleged syndicate.
Ms Dahl, meanwhile, is listed as the director of Sharp Eyes Security Services Pty Ltd, as per her LinkedIn profile.
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