How the usually secretive NSW Crime Commission is smoking out the crooks

Illegal tobacco and vape imports, cryptocurrency and luxury cars are all incredibly lucrative for Sydney’s underworld – the NSW Crime Commission is looking to change that.

Illegal tobacco and vape imports, cryptocurrency and luxury cars are all incredibly lucrative for Sydney’s underworld — something the NSW Crime Commission is looking to change.

With Melbourne’s “tobacco wars” resulting in dozens of shopfronts firebombed and major players being shot dead in recent years, there is little wonder the former top cop now heading up one arm of the NSW Crime Commission has put the issue firmly in his sights.

Darren Bennett spent more than 30 years in the NSW Police force, rising up to the role as the highest-ranking detective in the force, overseeing the squads investigating the state’s biggest cases — from gangland murders to William Tyrrell’s disappearance.

Now he is executive director at the NSW Crime Commission, a place which for any underworld figures is a bit like Fight Club — you do not talk about it.

The Kent St building is where the state’s most notorious crime figures are often dragged and forced to answer questions they do not want to, knowing that simply failing to respond can result in them being jailed.

NSW Crime Commission executive director of operations Darren Bennett. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Mr Bennett gave The Daily Telegraph unique insight into the other function of the NSW Crime Commission — investigations — and said it was a key focus of the organisation to take money made illegally by criminals and give it back to the state’s taxpayers.

“We have to constantly be evolving in the way that criminals are evolving,” Mr Bennett said.

“So crypto(currency), luxury goods, tobacco and vapes, are probably the three newest criminal trends to stockpile and transfer wealth, and that’s where I want to take the Crime Commission,” he said.

“There’s plenty of money out there we’re not seizing … I think there’s an enormous untapped, cash flow in terms of illegal tobacco and vapes as well. You can see by the fire bombings and the violence (in Melbourne), that it’s a recent trend that’s found its way into organised crime.”

While on one hand what happens at Kent St is hidden under a veil of secrecy, on another it is very much out there in the public sphere.

Firefighters at the scene of a tobacco shop blaze in Melbourne, which is linked to gangland activity. Picture: Epping CFA

The NSW Crime Commission brings more cases before the NSW Supreme Court than any other litigant, as it tries to take back much of that incredible wealth it alleges is illegally sourced.

A suite of unexplained wealth laws introduced by the former state government in 2023 have made it easier to go after wealthy criminals.

Illegal tobacco that was part of a huge haul seized by Australian Border Force.

Luxury goods such as watches and bags are also being seized Pictures: NSW Police

New unexplained wealth laws have given police more power to seize items like this high-end sports car. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Bennett said when current Police and Counter Terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley took over when the Minns government came in to power, she urged them to use the laws as often as possible, resulting in a year of record seizures by the NSW Crime Commission.

“When the minister visited us, she left us under no illusion what her expectations were — and that is to get as many of these criminal assets back to the government, and back to the people, as we can,” Mr Bennett said.

“We’ve had a good couple of years in terms of seizures and the money’s flowing, but I’m aware that we’ve got to stay on top of our game to keep that going.

“Because every time we do something, the criminal underworld pivots.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]