Raggamuffin promoter arrested in joint NSW and FBI sting

Lenny Kravitz during his Australian tour in 2012. Andrew McManus claimed money police found was payment for a Kravitz concert. Photo / Getty Images

A prominent Australian music promoter has been arrested in a joint NSW and FBI sting.

Andrew McManus, 54, who has promoted the annual Raggamuffin reggae and hip-hop festival in New Zealand and has another playing in West Auckland in February, was arrested at Melbourne Airport.

A four-year joint investigation between NSW Police and the United States' FBI led to the arrests of the group of men, the Sydney Morning Herald reported .

Detectives arrested three of the men in Sydney on Thursday night.

It has also been reported the detained Sydney men were crime figure Craig Haeusler, Kings Cross solicitor Michael Croke and Auburn pastry shop owner Zeki Atilgan.

McManus has been charged with perverting the course of justice, two counts of intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participating in a criminal group.

A fifth man was arrested in the US by the FBI for drug offences and money laundering, NSW Police said in a statement.

US businessman Owen Hanson Jr was arrested while playing golf in San Diego, the Herald reported.

NSW detectives started investigating the alleged syndicate in August 2011 after a bag of $702,000 in cash was found in a man's Sydney hotel room.

A court case was brought against NSW Police for the return of the cash when McManus claimed the bag was his and the money was payment for a Lenny Kravitz concert when he toured Australia.

Fairfax reported that McManus had he had snuck the money in from New Zealand using about 20 crew members. "I'm not a dickhead but ... if this went to the ATO, I'd be cooked again," he said to police at the time.

In late 2014 police conducted raids in Sydney and Victoria, which netted $68,000 cash, drugs, steroids, documents and electronic equipment.

The operation also uncovered information regarding the alleged importation of 300kg of cocaine from Mexico to Australia via the US.

Since then, police have been investigating alleged drug trafficking between Mexico, the US and Australia, and associated money laundering.

It is not alleged by the Herald or police that Mr McManus has been involved in any drug offences or money laundering whatsoever.

The Raggamuffin promoter has confirmed to the Herald that the Australian police have not alleged that he has been involved in any drug syndicate, drug importation or money laundering and he will strenuously defend the charges laid against him.

Australian Crime Commission NSW manager Warren Gray said "investigations like this one affirm the effectiveness of 'following the money'".

NSW Police have charged a 55-year-old man with perverting the course of justice, intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group.

A 65-year-old has been charged with perverting the course of justice, three counts of intention to defraud by false or misleading statement and knowingly participate in a criminal group.

A 32-year-old man was charged with two counts of money laundering.

The group of men have been bailed to appear at Sydney courts at later dates.

NSW Police is seeking the extradition of a 33-year-old US citizen to Sydney on arrest warrants for money laundering, perverting the course of justice and intent to defraud by false or misleading statement, as well as an additional charge of drug supply of a large commercial quantity.

Detectives from the Organised Crime Squad are currently in San Diego, California, working with the FBI.

A number of search warrants were executed, with officers seizing cash, gold, silver, cannabis and documentation.

- Daily Mail