AUSTRAC Intelligence Helps Disrupt Illicit Tobacco Network as Over A$25 Million in Assets Restrained

AUSTRAC has detailed its role in a major Australian multi-agency operation targeting an alleged organised crime network involved in importing and distributing illicit tobacco and vapes through legitimate freight and logistics businesses.

The financial intelligence agency said on 21 August 2026 that the Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST) operation, conducted the previous week, targeted alleged trusted insiders believed to have used legitimate supply-chain businesses to move illicit goods across Australia and generate millions of dollars in criminal profits.

Seven arrests and more than A$25 million restrained

Authorities arrested seven people and executed search warrants across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Items seized included cash, gold bullion, luxury watches, luxury handbags, firearms, illicit tobacco and more than 280,000 vapes.

The New South Wales Crime Commission also restrained more than A$25 million in assets linked to the alleged networks, including properties, bank accounts and shareholdings.

Australian Border Force separately issued immediate suspensions of depot licences in Sydney and Brisbane and a notice of intent to cancel a depot licence in Melbourne involving the national freight forwarding company connected to the investigation.

Financial intelligence used to map money flows

AUSTRAC supported the investigation with an embedded senior intelligence analyst and specialist financial analysis. The agency said this work helped investigators identify financial relationships, trace the movement of funds and better understand the structure and activities of the alleged criminal groups.

AUSTRAC produced multiple intelligence products during the investigation, including financial summaries, analysis of information already held by the agency and information obtained through its intelligence-gathering powers under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006. It also provided intelligence reporting to support referrals to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

MAST brings together the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, NSW Crime Commission, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and Australian Taxation Office to target serious organised crime.

The case illustrates how financial intelligence can connect apparently legitimate businesses, financial accounts and supply-chain activity to suspected organised-crime networks. The arrests and asset restraints are enforcement actions arising from an ongoing investigation; the individuals involved have not been described by AUSTRAC as convicted in relation to this operation.