Raids across multiple states net more than $80 million worth of illicit tobacco and vapes

Joint operations between Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF) along with Victorian, Tasmanian and NSW police has resulted in multiple arrests in Victoria and NSW.

Early morning raids in Sydney, resulted in more than $80 million worth of illicit tobacco and vapes being seized by authorities.

The special Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST) say they dismantled two criminal networks in NSW and charged seven people following an investigation into the alleged importation of illicit tobacco and vapes into Australia.

Detectives claim “trusted insiders” working in a national freight company were allegedly behind the operation and distribution to retailers.

The alleged mastermind of a million-dollar tobacco cartel, Peter Ping Xie, was hauled from a Barangaroo high-rise following an early morning raid.

The 53-year-old is accused of orchestrating the importation of thousands of illegal cigarettes and vapes through a freight company, based at Bankstown.

“It will be alleged that the operators of that business were circumventing border controls,” NSW Police said on Friday.

His arrest was part of a 15-month operation, by a multi-agency strike team culminating in a series of raids on Thursday.

The strike force comprising of 41 officers from across the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Investigators seized $33 million worth of a date rape drug known as “Bute”, $300,000 dollars in gold bullion $1.5 million worth of luxury watches, designer handbags, two guns, cash, 350-000 cigarettes and a BMW.

“The seizures from yesterday are extraordinary,” said.

“The NSW Crime Commission have restrained more than $25 million worth of assets.

The kingpin’s alleged associates were also arrested one-by-one, all traced back to the enterprise, which police claim was importing products for criminal profit.

“The Australian Border Force has zero tolerance for trusted insiders who undermine the integrity of Australia’s border by abusing their position,” Border Force said.

A Bankstown warehouse was the epicentre of the operation, allegedly used to store thousands of illegal cigarettes and vapes. It’s now one of three to have its licence suspended.

Firearms and cash seized in Victoria

Two men - a 33-year-old from Hoppers Crossing, Victoria, and a 22-year-old from Sorell, Tasmania - were charged following an investigation into the alleged movement of millions of dollars in cash from Tasmania to Victoria, from the sale of illicit tobacco.

While a third man, 37, from Hoppers Crossing, has been arrested and is expected to be charged via summons.

Multiple search warrants were executed earlier this week, with officers seizing more than $2.5 million worth of tobacco product, more than $1 million in cash, 9kg of silver bars (worth more than $30,000) and one ounce of gold (worth more than $4000).

Police also seized five imitation firearms, including a gel blaster firearm, three registered firearms, a .22 rifle and ammunition, a cash-counting machine and mobile devices.

Tasmania Police Commander Damien George said the seizures are significant and will impact the organised crime groups, vowing to continue to disrupt the unlawful trade.

While, Victoria’s Anti-Gangs Division Acting Superintendent Mick Daly said this disruption would be felt by criminal bosses at the top.

“Money laundering is the lifeblood of organised crime, and in removing their ill-gotten gains we dismantle their ability to create further opportunities to cause harm,” Daly said.

Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini from Victoria’s VIPER Taskforce added that the operation would have a significant impact on the criminal syndicate involved.

“Organised crime networks operate across borders and jurisdictions; but so, too, does law enforcement,” he added.

ABF Acting Superintendent Sonia Miteva warned officers are well versed in identifying attempts to move illicit cash through commercial transport networks.

“The ABF works closely with law enforcement partners to detect instances where criminals seek to exploit legitimate transport and trade pathways for unlawful purposes,” Miteva said.

“By identifying and intercepting suspected proceeds of crime, we prevent that money from being reinvested into further criminal offending.”