CANBERRA, ACT, Feb. 6 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
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AnAFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT)investigation hasresulted innearly $2 millionworth of cash andotherassetsbeing restrainedunder orders made by theBrisbane District Courtyesterday (5February,2026).
Theassets wereseized by the AFP in July 2022 in an investigation that dismantled an alleged criminal network trafficking and manufacturing illicit drugs across Queensland,New South Walesand the Northern Territory.
The AFP-ledCACTsubsequentlyconductedinvestigations into ownership of the assets as suspected proceeds of crime.
TheCourtyesterday made a forfeitureorderover$1.7 millionof thecashthatwashidden undera bed at the Brisbane property of the former partner of a member of the alleged criminal syndicate.
TheCourt also made ordersrestrainingtheotherassets, including a boat, and cash with a combined value of $235,000seized during the operation as the suspected proceeds of crime.
AFPCommanderJason Kennedysaidcourtoutcomes such as thistargetedone of the main motivators of crime- profit.
"The profits derived from criminal activityareoften used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with ourlaw enforcementand CACTpartners to target the proceeds of crime and ensure it is re-invested to benefit the community,"CommanderKennedy said.
"Criminalsseektoenjoylavish lifestylesas a result oftheir illegal activities,withfunds often derived from the exploitation of our community. We see this as an affront to hard-working Australians who are doing the right thing."
Commonwealthproceedsof crime laws provide expansive tools for the restraint oftheproceeds and instruments of crime, as well as pecuniary penalty orders and unexplained wealth orders, based on a civil standard of proof. These laws can alsooperatewhen there is no related criminal investigation or prosecution.
At the conclusion of successful legal proceedings, confiscated assets are liquidated by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), with the proceedsdeposited tothe Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA).The Attorney-General holds the authority to redistribute funds from theCAAtobenefitthe community through crime prevention, intervention or diversion programs,or other law enforcement initiatives.
The CACT combines the resources of the AFP, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Border Force (ABF)and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
