The Asset Recovery Agency Thursday handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations two vehicles that were illegally acquired.
The agency said other assets are due for disposal in accordance with the law.
Director of ARA Brig (rtd) Alice Mate said the handover is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our agencies in the fight against money laundering, including other fiancial crimes, fraud, and illicit activities.
The Director DCI Mohamed Amin has lauded the collaboration between the Directorate and ARA, pledging continued partnerships in fighting money laundering, terrorist financing and other serious frauds with the aim of making the country a hostile ground for criminal enterprises.
Amin made these remarks during the handing over ceremony of two motor vehicles to the DCI by ARA, the two being part of a fleet of proceeds of crime identified, traced and seized by the Agency.
“We shall persist in investigating perpetrators of money laundering, and make the illicit business a very expensive affair. Such is the language criminals understand when we say that crime does not pay,” added Mr Amin.
Mate also lauded the close cooperation with the DCI as one of the Agency’s key stakeholders, adding that today’s exercise aligned with ARA’s mandate to recover and dispose such seized proceeds of crime by giving them out to other government agencies.
“In the spirit of collaboration, the Agency is handing over two of the recovered motor vehicles to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations by way of transfer to another public entity in accordance with Section 165(1)(a) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act,” Mate said.
ARA is established under Section 53 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act with the mandate of indentifying, tracing, freezing, seizure and confiscation/recovery of proceeds of crime and properties used for or intented for use in the commission of an offence.
In pursuit of its mandate, the ARA has partnered with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders.
This partnership has been instrumental in dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that those who engage in illicit financial dealings are brought to justice and do not enjoy proceeds of their crimes, she said.
She said the agencies continue to work hand in hand, leveraging intelligence, and investigative capabilities to trace and recover illegally acquired assets.
“The recovery and repurposing of these assets serve as a stark reminder to criminals that crime does not pay as espoused in our Agency Mission and that all proceeds of crime will be identified, seized, and put to legitimate use for the benefit of the nation,” she added.
She warned those engaged or intend to engage in money laundering, financing of terrorism, and other financial crimes that the move should serve as a strong warning-the government remains resolute in pursuit of justice, and our agencies will put all effort in recovering and repurposing ill-gotten wealth.
She added the days of criminals enjoying the proceeds of their unlawful activities are numbered.
The event took place at DCI’s Mazingira Complex, and was witnessed by a host of senior officers from the DCI and the ARA delegation.
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