Organised crime targets freight networks

AUSTRALIAN authorities have disrupted two alleged organised crime operations involving legitimate cargo and transport networks, including an international shipping container and a commercial passenger and freight vessel.

In Melbourne, Australian Border Force officers seized 298kg of cocaine concealed in and around a tractor inside a container imported from Germany via Panama.

The container, declared as carrying two tractors and machinery parts, was X-rayed on 10 August after officers identified anomalies. A subsequent inspection uncovered six boxes containing cocaine concealed within the machinery.

The seizure is being investigated by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Task Force, involving the Australian Federal Police, ABF, Victoria Police and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

Separately, two men have been charged following an investigation into the alleged movement of proceeds from illicit tobacco sales between Tasmania and Victoria.

Investigators allege criminal proceeds were moved using hire cars and a commercial passenger and freight vessel.

Searches in Tasmania and Victoria on 11 August resulted in the seizure of more than $2.5 million worth of tobacco products, more than $1 million in cash, silver and gold, firearms and ammunition and a cash-counting machine.

The investigation involved the Tasmania Joint Organised Crime Task Force, comprising the AFP, Tasmania Police and ABF, with support from Victoria Police's VIPER Taskforce and other specialist units.

ABF Acting Superintendent Sonia Miteva said criminal networks sought to exploit legitimate transport and trade pathways to move illicit cash and other proceeds of crime.

“ABF officers are well versed in identifying and disrupting attempts to move illicit cash and other proceeds of crime through commercial transport networks,” she said.

The separate investigations highlight the challenge facing border and law enforcement agencies in identifying organised crime activity moving through legitimate supply chains and transport networks.

AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano said organised crime groups depended on moving illicit profits to sustain their activities.

“Regardless of where you operate, or how you move criminal proceeds, the AFP, together with our law enforcement partners, are working together to detect, disrupt and prosecute you,” he said.

Both investigations remain ongoing.