Prosecutors apply to freeze $2.75m in cash seized as part of Operation Ironside and in the possession of NSW Police

SA prosecutors have their eyes on $2.75m cash found during Operation Ironside during a truckie’s Adelaide-Sydney run – but NSW Police already has the money.

Prosecutors have asked the South Australian courts to freeze $2.75m in cash found in the possession of a truck driver accused of shipping large amounts of drugs and money from SA to NSW.

But the funds are already in the possession of NSW Police – setting up a battle between the jurisdictions over who will get to keep the money if the truckie is found guilty.

Documents released by the District Court show prosecutors are also seeking the restraint of a Ford utility, a Holden sedan, $20,496.38 in seized funds, as well as a prime mover and trailer estimated to be worth more than $100,000.

In an application dated April 13, prosecutors asked Judge Heath Barklay to freeze the assets, regardless of whether they are in the possession of NSW Police.

The court documents list the NSW Crime Commission as a party that might have an interest in the money.

“This is an unusual application, in the normal course of things only our police would seek an application to seize property,” a prosecutor said.

The $2.75m in cash found in shopping bags in the cab of a prime mover in Yass in April 2020. Picture: NSW Police

NSW Police seized the cash originally but SA prosecutors are hoping to claim it. Picture: NSW Police.

“But what has happened here is that the driver was arrested subject to NSW offences and the cash was seized by the NSW Crime Commission and then, pursuant to Ironside operation, he has now been arrested over other offending alleged to have taken place in April 2020.

“So what our police have done is applied for a restraining order for property in his name, which includes the $2.75m, because if he is convicted on these charges he will have all his assets surrendered.

“If he is also convicted under NSW law then that will be a matter for the two jurisdictions to figure out. If he is not convicted in NSW we are just protecting our assets.”

The $2.75m in cash found in shopping bags in the cab of a prime mover in Yass in April 2020. Picture: NSW Police.

The 54-year-old truck driver, whose name is suppressed by court order, was initially arrested in April 2020 at a service station in Yass by officers attached to NSW Police Strike Force Raptor.

Police found $2.75m hidden in green shopping bags in the cabin of the truck.

He was driving from Adelaide to Sydney when he was arrested.

The driver pleaded guilty to a charge of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and was granted bail in NSW ahead of being sentenced.

During a hearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in February, the court heard the driver had been granted bail to live in Adelaide but had gone on the run.

He was arrested in February this year as part of Operation Ironside and charged with laundering a further $1.75m in cash and trafficking 30kg of methamphetamine.

He will appear in court again in the coming months.