Two iconic SUVs were among $8.4 million in suspected proceeds of crime seized by a joint police task force investigating the illegal tobacco trade.
The Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT), led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), has seized a Mercedes-AMG G63 and a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, as well as two commercial and three residential properties, a jet ski and approximately $1 million in three bank accounts.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth)These assets may be liquidated by the Official Trustee of the Australian Financial Security Agency, with the funds generated thereby being deposited into the Confiscated Assets Account managed by the Official Trustee and then distributed to crime prevention and diversion programs.
The asset seizures follow an investigation into the sale of illicit tobacco in the Northern Territory after NT Police alerted the AFP they had seized thousands of cigarettes and e-cigarettes allegedly intended to be sold in the NT by a 27-year-old Queensland man.
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NT Police seized almost 946,000 cigarettes, more than 12,000 nicotine vaporizers, almost 86kg of loose tobacco, 1,400 tobacco pouches with fake health warning labels and 644 nitrous oxide canisters in a period of less than six months between February and June 2024.
AFP investigators from CACT subsequently investigated the man’s financial activities on suspicion that the value of his assets exceeded his legally declared income, which subsequently led to the drafting of confiscation orders.
Proceeds of crime legislation allows the police to withhold both the proceeds and the murder weapon and to issue fines and property orders for unclear reasons based on a civil standard of proof. These laws permit seizures independent of law enforcement, even if there is no related criminal investigation or prosecution at all.
The AFP-led CACT works with government agencies such as the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Australian Border Force to track and ultimately seize criminal assets.
“The AFP and our partners are committed to targeting the proceeds, tools and benefits of the illicit tobacco trade,” said AFP Commander Jason Kennedy.
“The ability to withhold and confiscate the assets of those who act illegally sends the message that they face not only prison time but also the loss of their ill-gotten gains.”
Recent CACT operations included the seizure of more than $20 million in assets in New South Wales earlier this year, when law enforcement seized a total of twelve vehicles, including two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis and a McLaren, and another in the state where three Lamborghinis and a McLaren were seized out of a total of nine vehicles seized.
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