Two men from Manus and Central provinces have appeared at the Waigani Committal Court over allegations of money laundering.
39-year-old Cleve Horton Sale, from Balopa, Manus Province, the company director of Lakatoi Marine and Cargo surveyors, and George Sariman of Kairuku, Central, briefly appeared in court where his charge and the allegations against them were read.
Sale appeared in court last Thursday, Aug 26, while Sariman appeared yesterday (Tuesday).
Their cases were adjourned to Sept while police continue their investigations into the allegations.
It is alleged that Sale, in June this year, consented with Sariman to enable the transfer of K528,934.86, to his company, Lakatoi Marine and Cargo surveyors.
Police allege that the money transferred was obtained through the Finance Department’s financial management improvement account, and credited to Lakatoi Marine and Cargo surveyors ANZ Bank account at the Harbour City branch.
An allegation police say was done to disguise the transfer’s nature and purpose, especially when Sale ought to have known that the act was criminal in nature.
They were charged under section 508 (b)(3)(k) of the Criminal Code Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Management Act 2015.
Magistrate John Kaumi, in reading the charges, said these are just allegations at this stage, and police will conduct further investigations into the case as per the Committal Court process.
Sale was requested by the court to provide two affidavits of two guarantors who will ensure he attends his court hearing as well as an affidavit stating his place of residence.