Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged five people, seized $15 million worth of illicit tobacco and $1.6 million in cash during an investigation into an alleged multi-million-dollar money laundering syndicate.
Strike Force Mustang was established in December 2025 by State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad to investigate an alleged money laundering network and associated organised crime activity.
Over the course of the investigation, detectives will allege the syndicate laundered $68 million over a two-year period, utilising cryptocurrency conversion and other methods to conceal the proceeds of crime.
On Monday 8 December 2025, strike force detectives executed six search warrants in Wentworthville, Auburn and Burwood, allegedly seizing about 2.1 million illicit cigarettes and $108,000 in cash.
Two men aged 26 and 32 were charged and remain before the courts.
On Thursday 22 January 2026, strike force detectives arrested two men – 26 and 27 – during a vehicle stop on Campbell Street, Haymarket, where they allegedly seized a small amount of illicit tobacco and $23,000 in cash.
A short time later, police executed a search warrant in Burwood, where they allegedly seized $1.25 million in cash, two money counters, luxury watches, electronic devices and about 5500 illicit cigarettes.
The 26-year-old man and 37-year-old man were charged and remain before the courts.
Following further extensive inquiries, about 3.45pm on Thursday 3 September 2026, strike force detectives arrested a 21-year-old man during a vehicle stop in Auburn.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly seized $160,000 in cash and about 1260 illicit cigarettes.
A short time later, strike force detectives executed five search warrants in Auburn, Busby and Eastlakes where police allegedly seized almost 14 million illicit cigarettes, 29kg of loose-leaf tobacco, about $343,000 in cash and three gel blaster rifles.
A 21-year-old man was charged with two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100000 & more than $5000.
He was refused bail and appeared at Burwood Local Court on Friday 4 September 2026, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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