Two iconic off-roaders were among the $8.4 million in suspected proceeds of crime seized by a joint police taskforce investigating illegal tobacco trade.
The Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT), led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), has restrained a Mercedes-AMG G63 and a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, as well as two commercial and three residential properties, a jetski, and approximately $1 million across three bank accounts.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth), these assets can be liquidated by the Australian Financial Security Authority Official Trustee, with the funds generated from this placed 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 it had seized thousands of cigarettes and vapes which it alleges were intended to be sold by a 27-year-old Queensland man in the NT.
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NT Police seized almost 946,000 cigarettes, more than 12,000 nicotine vapes, almost 86kg of loose tobacco, 1400 tobacco pouches with counterfeit health warning labels, and 644 nitrous oxide canisters, all during a period of less than six months between February and June 2024.
AFP investigators on the CACT subsequently investigated the man’s financial activities under the suspicion the value of his assets exceeded his lawfully declared income, subsequently leading to confiscation orders being drawn up.
Proceeds of crime legislation allow police to restrain both the proceeds and instrument of crime and issue pecuniary penalty and unexplained wealth orders, based on a civil standard of proof, and these laws allow for seizures separate to any criminal prosecution – and even when there’s no related criminal investigation or prosecution at all.
The AFP-led CACT works with government bodies like the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Australian Border Force to trace and ultimately confiscate criminal assets.
“The AFP and our partners are committed to targeting the proceeds, instruments and benefits of the illicit tobacco trade,” said AFP Commander Jason Kennedy.
“The ability to restrain and confiscate the assets of those who act illegally sends the message that they not only risk a term of imprisonment, but also the loss of their ill-gotten gains.”
Recent CACT operations have included a seizure of more than $20 million in assets in New South Wales earlier this year, when law enforcement seized a total of 12 vehicles including two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis and one McLaren, plus another in the state that saw three Lamborghinis and a McLaren among a total of nine vehicles seized.
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