New Jersey § 2c:21-23

§ 2c:21-23.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares to be the public policy of this State, the

following: a. By enactment of the “Criminal Justice Act of 1970,” P.L.1970, c. 74 ( C. 52:17B-97 et seq. ), the legislature recognized that the existence of organized crime and organized

crime type activities present a serious threat to the political, social and economic

institutions of this State. b. By enactment of P.L.1981, c. 167 ( C. 2C:41-1 et al.), the Legislature recognized the need to impose strict civil and criminal

sanctions upon those whose activity is inimical to the general health, welfare and

prosperity of this State, including, but not limited to, those who drain money from

the economy by illegal conduct and then undertake the operation of otherwise legitimate

businesses with the proceeds of illegal conduct. c. By enactment of the “Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987,” P.L.1987, c. 106 ( C. 2C:35-1 et seq. ), the Legislature recognized the need to punish the more culpable drug offenders

with strict, consistently imposed criminal sanctions. The Legislature intended a greater culpability for those who profit from the illegal

trafficking of drugs and expressed an intent that such individuals be dealt with swiftly

and sternly. d. Despite the impressive efforts and gains of our law enforcement agencies, individuals

still profit financially from illegal organized criminal activities and illegal trafficking

of drugs, and they continue to pose a serious and pervasive threat to the health,

safety and welfare of the citizens of this State while, at the same time, converting

their illegally obtained profits into “legitimate” funds with the assistance of other

individuals. e. The increased trafficking in drugs and other organized criminal activities have

strengthened the money laundering industry which takes illegally acquired income and

makes that money appear to be legitimate. In order to safeguard the public interest and stop the conversion of ill-gotten

criminal profits, effective criminal and civil sanctions are needed to deter and punish

those who are converting the illegal profits, those who are providing a method of

hiding the true source of the funds, and those who facilitate such activities. It is in the public interest to make such conduct subject to strict criminal and

civil penalties because of a need to deter individuals and business entities from

assisting in the “legitimizing” of proceeds of illegal activity. To allow individuals or business entities to avoid responsibility for their criminal

assistance in money laundering is clearly inimical to the public good.