BIG GRAB - SWOOP ON $2.5M ASSETS

THE alleged head of a big drug-running operation looks set to have
his assets seized under property confiscation laws which came into
effect on New Year's Day.

Director of Public Prosecutions Robert Cock QC has been given the
green light to swoop on assets worth an estimated $2.5 million owned
by Paul Musarri, of Westminster. Supreme Court Justice Christopher
Steytler granted an order to freeze the assets on Monday.

Accountants, lawyers and others with knowledge of Mr Musarri's
finances will be probed in the Supreme Court under the same laws.
This means any further assets owned by Mr Musarri could be uncovered
and confiscated.

Mr Musarri is alleged to head one of WA's drug syndicates. Last year,
he was charged with conspiring to possess 525g of heroin - worth up
to $500,000 on the street - with intent to sell or supply and two
counts of supplying amphetamines.

The assets which have been frozen include three cars, properties in
Redcliffe and Balga and shares in Telstra, Central Kalgoorlie Gold
Mines, Charter Pacific and Metal Storm. Other properties set to be
seized are in Bayswater, Innaloo, south Guildford, Port Hedland,
Bassendean and Malaga. They are owned by Mr Musarri through his
company, Malaga Holdings.

Mr Cock said yesterday it was the first time the DPP had applied for
a freezing order under the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000
and represented the biggest amount of assets frozen under the new
law. "This is certainly the first large one," Mr Cock said.

The DPP had frozen Mr Musarri's assets under the old confiscation Act
but discontinued this yesterday after implementing the new Act.

Mr Cock said the new Act gave prosecutors the chance to freeze assets
on the suspicion they had been bought with dirty money and meant Mr
Musarri's assets could be seized regardless of whether he was found
guilty of the drugs charges. "Now forfeiture can occur regardless of
the trial," he said. "Parliament has allowed us to have this extra
string to our bow in the law."

Mr Cock said Mr Musarri had 28 days to lodge an objection to the
freezing order and fight to regain his property. If he did not lodge
the objection, the property would be forfeited to the crown and sold.

Mr Cock said the money would then be dispersed by Attorney-General
Peter Foss to fund programs such as drug rehabilitation and to help
the victims of crime.