Two men have been charged and one arrested after a joint agency investigation into the alleged movement of millions of dollars in cash from Tasmania to Victoria, suspected to be the proceeds of crime from the sale of illicit tobacco.
The action was the result of a long-term Tasmania Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (TAS JOCTF) investigation into illicit tobacco in Tasmania.
A 33-year-old from Hoppers Crossing, Victoria, and a 22-year-old from Sorell, Tasmania, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on 12 August, 2026. Both were charged with knowingly deal proceeds of crime and recklessly deal proceeds of crime. They face a maximum sentence of 25 years' imprisonment if convicted.
It is alleged they facilitated the movement of criminal proceeds in cash from Tasmania and Victoria using hire cars and a commercial passenger and freight vessel.
Both were bailed to reappear at the court on 2 December, 2026.
A third man, 37, from Hoppers Crossing, was arrested and later released. He is expected to be charged via summons.
During the investigation - which started with intelligence from the Tasmania Police Crime and Intelligence Command - investigators identified the alleged movement of criminal assets between the states.
TAS JOCTF members subsequently executed search warrants at properties in Melrose and Sorell in Tasmania on 11 August, 2026. Coordinated warrants were executed on the same day in Hoppers Crossing, Victoria, by members of the Victoria Police VIPER Taskforce, which arrested the three men.
The TAS JOCTF comprises members of the AFP, Tasmania Police and Australian Border Force (ABF). The operation was further supported by Victoria Police's Special Operations Group (SOG), Cybercrime Squad and VIPER Taskforce.
During the search warrants, officers seized 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.
AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano said the arrests followed strong collaboration from the AFP's Commonwealth and state law enforcement partners.
"This operation would not have been possible without the close cooperation between Commonwealth and state law enforcement agencies on both sides of Bass Strait, and I thank all members involved," Det Supt Imbriano said.
"Criminal syndicates depend on the movement of illicit profits to sustain their activities. Disrupting the flow of that money strikes at the heart of organised crime.
"Let it be a clear message to those who believe they can profit from organised crime; regardless of where you operate, or how you move criminal proceeds, the AFP, together with our law enforcement partners, are working together to detect, disrupt, and prosecute you."
ABF Acting Superintendent Sonia Miteva said the movement of large amounts of cash was often a key indicator of organised criminal activity.
"ABF officers are well versed in identifying and disrupting attempts to move illicit cash and other proceeds of crime through commercial transport networks," Acting Superintendent Miteva said.
"The ABF works closely with law enforcement partners to detect instances where criminals seek to exploit legitimate transport and trade pathways for unlawful purposes.
"By identifying and intercepting suspected proceeds of crime, we prevent that money from being reinvested into further criminal offending."
Tasmania Police Commander Damien George said organised crime would be disrupted.
"Tasmania Police is committed to targeting organised criminal activity and continues to work closely with our law enforcement partners nationally to disrupt those networks driving the unlawful trade in illicit tobacco and vapes," Commander George said
"As today's operations in Tasmania and Victoria show, authorities take advantage of our combined resources to continue to target alleged offenders and seize not only illegal products, but also the cash associated with the sale of those products.
"These seizures are significant, and their impact will be felt by organised crime groups."
Victoria Police Detective Acting Superintendent Mick Daly, State Anti-Gangs Division, said this disruption would be felt by criminal bosses at the top.
"The illegal tobacco, along with the millions in cash seized today, will have a direct and significant impact on organised crime - an activity that feeds on greed, profits and harm to the community," Det a/Supt Daly said.
"Working alongside our partner agencies, we'll continue to ensure we make their illicit activity less profitable and less appealing. 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.
"Victoria Police, alongside our law enforcement partners, has zero tolerance for those bringing harm to our community. We will continue to target these syndicates in any and every way possible."
Victoria Police VIPER Taskforce Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini said the operation would have a significant impact on the criminal syndicate involved, disrupting its profits.
"Organised criminals are driven only by greed and have no regard for the harm they reap on individuals, families and our community. There is no doubt these profits derived from the sale of illicit tobacco would be used to fund further criminal activities," D/Insp Gasparini said.
"The impact of these seizures - which are about $1 million- will be felt by the syndicate.
"Today's result should serve as a warning to criminal syndicates attempting to bring illicit substances into our communities: the pursuit of those profiting from illegal activity is something that never ends for police.
"Organised crime networks operate across borders and jurisdictions; but so, too, does law enforcement. As this result highlights, we seamlessly work with our partners to disrupt activity and hold alleged offenders to account. We will continue to use our collective resources to decimate theirs."
