Archive, Industry News

WA Police cattle duffing action hits transport operation

Operation Topography has been combatting crime networks in the state

 

Recent Western Australia Police action against criminal networks involved in the theft and sale of cattle in the state has extended to a local transport operation.

Operation Topography is the Rural Crime Squad’s probe into “individuals and companies linked to the business of cattle including aerial and ground musterers, livestock trucking companies, truck drivers and stock agents”, WA Police notes.

Its most recent round, in Moora, saw a 41-year-old man charged with: three counts of property laundering – engaged in transaction; one count of receiving; and one count of attempt to pervert justice.

A 42-year-old woman was charged with one count of accessory after fact to an indictable (principal) offence.

Additionally, a 49-year-old man was charged with one count of possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property.

Western Australia mediar reports identify two of the accused as Clint and Emma Spong of livestock transport operation Sponghaul.

All three are due to appear before the Moora Magistrates Court tomorrow.


How NSW Police is tackling problem livestock theft, here


This marks the third phase of Operation Topography, which came to the fore in February 2021 when two individuals were charged with offences relating to the theft and sale of 803 cattle valued at about $800,000.

In the second phase, a 64-year-old man was charged with similar offences as part of a syndicate that stole over 186 head of cattle valued between $130,000 and $200,000; a 37-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing cattle and selling them for about $60,000; while a 41-year-old was also arrested for allegedly using his position as a stock agent to sell stolen cattle.

 

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend