Combating Cash Couriers UNODC training by George Hardaker - Friday, 28 August 2015
PRETORIA, South Africa - A four day (24-27 August) "Combating Cash Courier” workshop was coordinated by the UNODC, UK Aid and the US Government for 50 delegates from sixteen Southern African countries. The delegates included, inter alia, anti- corruption investigators, public prosecutors, asset forfeiture investigators and revenue authority (customs and excise) officials.
In his opening address, Fitz-Roy Drayton, adviser to the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network Southern Africa (ARINSA), emphasised the need for increased vigilance and effective action against the illicit movement of currency.
The two workshop facilitators, Bernie Crossey and Bob Housley-Jeive, proved to be a well-rehearsed duo. With over 50 years of law enforcement experience between them, they captivated the delegates over the ensuing days whilst imparting their considerable knowledge on a wide range of topics. Bernie Crossey is an anti-money laundering, financial and criminal investigations training consultant. Bob Housley-Jeive is a specialist in intelligence gathering and training. Both have had extensive experience in, inter alia, customs and excise and cross border law enforcement.
Over the four days a wide variety of often interlinking topics were covered. These commenced with an overview of the Cross Border Movements of Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNI's). BNI was the first of a myriad acronyms introduced into the parlance of the delegates over the days to follow. Cash Smuggling, Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, Cash Systems, Recommendation 32 of the FATF, Suspicious Transaction Reports, Sources of Intelligence and Developing Sources, Intelligence Reports, Hawala and Other Similar Service Providers, Cash Handling and Forensics and Practical Interview Techniques are just a sample of the topics covered.
It is through practical and
informative workshops of this nature that law enforcement in the region will be
better equipped to more effectively deal with money launderers, cash smugglers
and their like.
To cap off the training Mr Fitz-roy Drayton handed out certificates of attendance to all participants.