Federal Police swoop on illegal tobacco trade engulfing the NT
The Federal Police have begun the process of confiscating millions in assets from crimes allegedly committed in the Northern Territory. Read what’s said.
Three commercial properties, two homes, a luxury Mercedes Benz G63 AMG, a jet ski and more than $1 million were among $8.4m in assets seized by Australian Federal Police, allegedly sourced through the trade of illicit tobacco in the Northern Territory.
AFP revealed on Friday a 27-year-old Queensland man had been arrested in the NT following an investigation into the sale of illicit tobacco in the Territory.
The proceeds of crime investigation began after Northern Territory Police alerted AFP they had seized thousands of cigarettes and vapes and charged the Queensland man, alleging the seized items were intended to be sold within the NT.
Between February and June 2024, 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.
They also restrained $580,000 in a bank account suspected of being the proceeds of crime related to this investigation.
Federal police and the NT and Queensland police forces focused on the man’s financial activities and the suspicion the value of his assets exceeded his lawfully declared income.
CACT’s litigation team then sought to restrain the man’s assets through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
AFP Commander Jason Kennedy said the CACT would pursue confiscation orders in relation to the restrained assets.
“The AFP and our partners are committed to targeting the proceeds, instruments and benefits of the illicit tobacco trade,” Commander Kennedy said.
“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.”
Northern Territory Police Detective Acting Superintendent David Richardson said these results should serve as a clear warning.
“If you attempt to bring illicit tobacco into the Northern Territory, we will find you,” Acting Supt Richardson said.
“We will not only seize the illicit products but will also target and restrain any assets gained through these illegal profits.
“The Northern Territory Police Force together with our federal partners will continue to target those who seek to exploit our community and profit at the expense of Territorians.”
Queensland Police Service Drug and Serious Crime Group Detective Acting Superintendent Melissa Anderson said the QPS was committed to the ongoing disruption and investigation of organised crime seeking to profit from the sale of illicit tobacco.
“To achieve this, we work in partnership with stakeholders, including interstate police and Commonwealth agencies to disrupt tobacco related crime and minimise the harm caused to the community,” she said.
An AFP statement released Friday said the Commonwealth’s proceeds of crime laws provided expansive tools for the restraint of both the proceeds and instruments of crime, as well as pecuniary penalty and unexplained wealth orders, based on a civil standard of proof.
These laws operate separately to any criminal prosecution and can also operate when there is no related criminal investigation or prosecution.
Funds derived from the sale of forfeited assets are placed into the Confiscated Assets Account, managed by the Official Trustee on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Funds can be distributed by the Minister for Home Affairs to benefit the community through crime prevention measures, diversion programs or other law enforcement initiatives.
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Originally published as Federal Police swoop on illegal tobacco trade engulfing the NT
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