Former Polynesian customs officer tried for corruption, money laundering and ice trafficking
A former French Polynesian customs official will appear in court on 6 October facing charges of corruption, money laundering and drug trafficking. Over 22 million francs were found at his home.
Former customs officer faces justice for corruption, money laundering and ice trafficking
A 45-year-old man, a former customs official in French Polynesia who is now employed by the public enterprise Vanille, will be tried in the lower court on 6 October. According to investigation elements consulted by tntvnews.pf, the charges concern unexplained sums running to tens of millions of francs, as well as suspicions of ice trafficking and corruption.
Unexplained assets and unjustified claims
More than 22 million francs were found at his home. Investigators also discovered 220,000 dollars in a bank account in the United States, regular transfers of several hundred thousand francs, as well as luxury items. To explain these riches, the suspect claims they come from "pearl resales" generating according to him between 30 and 60 million francs in profits. He is nevertheless unable to provide any written proof, nor any names of sellers or buyers, arguing that it is an "insular community" and that he does not want to "cause embarrassment to people".
During police custody with the gendarmes, he also mentioned significant winnings at Las Vegas casino and claimed that the transfers received corresponded to loan repayments. His monthly salary amounted to 500,000 francs — a comfortable level, but insufficient to explain his lifestyle. He notably purchased a BMW worth ten million francs without resorting to credit.
A network of suspicious transactions
Investigators examined a long list of people who had exchanged sums with him ranging up to five million francs: shopkeepers, family members, but also a senior police officer, presented as a friend with whom he had a real estate project in Bora Bora.
Justice's suspicions concern the period 2017-2019. In two years, the suspect is said to have spent 7.3 million francs on travel and ten million on the purchase of his car. Telephone wiretaps establish that he claimed to be able to unblock goods held in customs — a service that certain shopkeepers are said to have requested. During a search in 2019, investigators discovered in a safe 17 million francs, more than 18,000 euros, 16,000 American dollars, as well as yen, New Zealand dollars and pesos.
Suspicions of drug trafficking and corruption
Several people interviewed acknowledged having purchased ice from him. His own brother, who was living with him at the time, was arrested for trafficking in the same drug. In French Polynesia, money laundering is most often associated with drug trafficking.
The suspect maintains that all money received beyond his salary came from pearl sales that were not declared, carried out without a dealer's or producer's licence, and without him being aware he was acting illegally. He nevertheless holds a master's degree in law. Furthermore, no professional in the pearling sector contacted by the gendarmerie declares knowing him.
Suspension, resignation and other accusations
"He had been suspended in 2020 and had resigned to escape disciplinary action," Customs Director Serge Puccetti told tntvnews.pf. According to another source, he also lodged a bond to avoid incarceration.
Independently of this matter, the man in his forties is also suspected of domestic violence. Another woman has moreover filed a complaint for rape for alleged acts she says she suffered in 2021.
The individuals concerned remain presumed innocent.
Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)