Tue, May 6, 2014

They also allege TLF Nominees has almost 250 indentured labourers, most of them harboured illegally and held in ¬appalling conditions while the kingpins live in twin mansions on their gated compound.

Woolworths has cut ties with TLF, which supplied its West Australian supermarkets before the weekend’s raid involving nine agencies and 550 law enforcement officers.

The WA Health Department has been called in to examine pesticides the company used.

Youths and possibly children are among those put to work on 1400ha market garden in Carabadoo, north of Perth, police will allege. Three brothers have become the focus of the four-year investigation, though 19 people have been charged with 38 offences so far.

Police will allege in court that money was sent to companies in Victoria and returned for the purposes of avoiding tax and underpaying workers.

The agencies believe significant amounts were being sent offshore and yesterday acknowledged the help of the Royal ¬Malaysia Police.

“It’s alleged that the syndicate used foreign nationals who entered this country lawfully, many of whom overstayed their visas and were subsequently Illegally harboured by the syndicate,” WA Police assistant commissioner Craig Ward said yesterday after another round of searches and charges in connection with the investigation.

West Australian Police Minister Liza Harvey said the public would be sickened by the extent of the ripoffs and exploitation when all the allegations emerged. Police confirmed TLF had interests in the entertainment industry, specifically nightclubs and karaoke bars.

The Australian Crime Commission’s investigations manager, Richard Grant, said organised crime’s use of illegal foreign labour hurt Australian business.

Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Ramzi Jabbour said one raid found 30 people were living in a house with one toilet.

Police are also investigating whether 21 firearms seized at the weekend were ever used to threaten workers.