ABF busts crime gang in supply chain

AUSTRALIAN Border Force and NSW Police have seized luxury cars and large amounts of illegal goods from a syndicate suspected of exploiting freight forwarders for illegal imports and distribution.

A joint investigation has discovered criminals were covertly working within an Australian logistics company.

Dubbed Operation YAVIN25, the investigation uncovered large volumes of illicit tobacco, illegal vapes and border-controlled drugs imported into Australia, as well as other suspected criminal and money laundering activities.

Simultaneously, the ABF, with the assistance of NSW Police Force Raptor squad, raided two warehouses in Villawood NSW.

Items seized across the four locations include: three luxury vehicles, $280,000 cash, luxury handbags and jewellery, 690,000 cigarette sticks, 3,000 ice pipes, over 5,500 vapes, a cash counter, 10 credit cards and nunchakus.

A/g Detective Superintendent Brad Abdy said Raptor Squad and the NSWPF would continue to work with law enforcement partners to target all avenues of organised crime.

“This successful operation highlights the benefits of this cooperation,” he said.

Authorities seized two containers containing more than 1.9 million illegal cigarettes on 8 December after ABF officers raided a warehouse in Truganina and a residential property in Mount Waverley (suburbs in Melbourne).

Several mobile devices and a video recorder were also seized by ABF officers, which are to be used to gather and build evidence against the freight forwarder.

The company is now under investigation by the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group. Investigations into the criminal network are ongoing.

ABF commander customs enforcement Graeme Campbell said authorities work closely with law enforcement, regulatory and industry partners, in Australia and overseas to target organised crime networks.

“Every detection, every intercept, every shop shut down, warehouse raided, and car seized, is a disruption to those trying to profit from this crime and will continue to apply pressure to their business models,” he said.

“This is why the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group has been established to target and dismantle mid-level criminals and enablers who exploit Australia's supply chain.”