Northern Territory Police have charged a 33-year-old man with money laundering following a four-month investigation into the alleged generation and dealing of significant criminal proceeds.
Operation Teton commenced in May 2026 after detectives from the Northern Territory Police Financial Crimes Section identified significant volumes of money being processed through electronic payment facilities associated with businesses linked to the investigation.
Police will allege that during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years, businesses associated with the investigation generated approximately $12.1 million in sales.
Investigators have identified approximately $9.36 million of that revenue as being directly attributable to the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping.
The investigation has focused on the alleged proceeds of that activity, including the manner in which those proceeds were dealt with, and who possessed or controlled them.
Detectives analysed merchant transaction data, undertook banking enquiries and examined corporate and financial structures associated with the businesses.
Police will allege that proceeds of the unlawful activity were dealt with through merchant payment facilities, company structures and bank accounts.
Yesterday, NT Police and the Australian Border Force (ABF) executed eight Police Administration Act 1978 warrants and three Customs Act 1901 warrants as part of the investigation.
The warrants were executed across two business premises in the Darwin CBD, a commercial storage facility and two residential properties.
As a result of the operation there were over 5,500 vapes, 16,500 nicotine products $73,600 in cash, digital devices and business records seized, and action under the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act NT was taken to restrain a private residence, two motor vehicles, five bank accounts containing $150,000 and the shares of eight business entities.
A 33-year-old man has been charged with money laundering with knowledge or belief.
Detective Senior Sergeant Corey Borton said the investigation demonstrated the Financial Crimes Section's focus on following and disrupting the financial benefit generated by criminal activity.
"This investigation is about the money. Identifying where criminal proceeds came from, where they went, and who possessed or controlled them.
"Our investigation has identified approximately $12.1 million in sales through businesses associated with the investigation, with approximately $9.36 million directly attributable to the sale of illicit vaping and nicotine products.
"The significance for Financial Crimes is not simply how that money was generated. It is what happened to those proceeds and who was dealing with them.
"If you make money from crime, you should expect us to follow the money.
"That means examining bank accounts, merchant payment facilities, businesses and other assets to identify the proceeds of crime and establish who possesses or controls them.
"Where the evidence establishes the necessary connection, and where the legislation provides a lawful basis to act, we will pursue those proceeds and the financial benefit generated by criminal activity.
"That can include cash, bank accounts, vehicles, property and businesses.
"The message to people involved in financially motivated crime is simple: the money itself can become the focus of a criminal investigation.
"The operation involved close cooperation between Northern Territory Police and the Australian Border Force, combining Territory and Commonwealth capabilities to investigate the underlying offending and the financial activity associated with the alleged proceeds.
"The investigation remains ongoing and further enforcement action has not been ruled out."
ABF Superintendent Amanda Coppleman said the ABF works hand-in-hand with partner agencies across Australia to target the criminal networks responsible for importing, distributing and profiting from illicit tobacco products.
"By combining our respective capabilities, intelligence and enforcement powers, we are disrupting criminal business models and protecting Australia's border and economic interest, Superintendent Coppleman said.
"Our collective efforts are focused on reducing the harm caused by organised crime operating in the illicit tobacco market and ensuring those who seek to profit from illegal activity are held accountable."
Media note: Video footage of the arrest and seized items is available upon request.
