CRIME PAYS: $2.5M IN ASSETS FROZEN

THE alleged head of one of WA's biggest drug syndicates may lose
millions of dollars of his fortune if he is found guilty of drug
trafficking.

Paul Musarri, 52, of Westminster, was arrested last Wednesday and
about $2.5 million of his assets frozen on the grounds it was bought
with dirty money.

Frozen were 12 properties around the State, three cars and a big share
portfolio.

Director of Public Prosecutions Robert Cock QC said it was unusual for
the Mr Bigs of the drug world to be prosecuted.

"$2.5 million is a big seizure," he said.

There was a lot of money to be made from the drug trade, he said. "We
don't see many prosecutions of this size. They are unfortunately quite
rare."

Police charged Mr Musarri with conspiring to sell or supply 525g of
heroin and supplying amphetamines.

If found guilty, police will apply to have him branded a drug
trafficker.

"In that case the onus will be on Mr Musarri to show how he obtained
his assets," Det-Sgt Paul Zanetti, of the organised crime unit, said.

After applying to have Mr Musarri's assets frozen, the DPP has to
convict him of criminal charges, convince a court he is a drug
trafficker and only then ask him to prove he obtained legally any
assets he owns.

Mr Cock said freezing assets could be a headache for
authorities.

The DPP was now responsible for the upkeep of Mr Musarri's cars and
properties for the duration of what promised to be a lengthy court
case, he said.

"It is a problem for us," he said. "In the past we have had to manage
farms and other properties that we have very little experience in. It
can be very expensive."

Police Minister Kevin Prince said a Bill to be debated in State
Parliament today would streamline property seizures.

Under the Criminal Property Confiscation Bill 2000 the onus would be
on the individual to prove assets were not obtained with drug money,
Mr Prince said.

This could be pursued independently of a criminal conviction.

"That means anyone who has large wealth and no income, white collar
criminals and drug dealers, will have to account for where the money
came from," he said.

Mr Musarri, who was named in court as being behind the heroin deal
which resulted in the 1986 execution of Kevin Barlow and Brian
Chambers in Malaysia, will reappear in court on October 19.

His frozen assets include shares in Charter Pacific, Central
Kalgoorlie Gold Mines, Telstra and Metal Storm.

Properties which Mr Musarri owns in Redcliffe and Balga were frozen
along with properties held by Mr Musarri's company, Malaga Holdings.
Malaga Holdings owns property in Malaga, Innaloo, Bayswater, South
Guildford, Bassendean and Port Hedland.