SYDNEY, July 5 (Xinhua) -- A joint operation led by the Australian Border Force (ABF) has stubbed out an organized crime syndicate and seized over 57 million illegal cigarettes in a year-long investigation.
Aided by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Queensland State Police, ABF superintendent Leo Lahey said on Thursday that the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce operation was an example of what can be achieved when authorities pool the resources of state, federal and international law enforcement.
"Working collaboratively across agencies in this way will always be critical to success," he said.
"These seizures also highlight the critical need to combat the illicit tobacco trade."
Beginning in June 2017, the complex investigation began with a tip-off from ACIC after information came to light that an organized crime syndicate with links to Southeast Asia was operating in Australia and involved in money laundering and the large-scale importation of illicit tobacco.
In total, the operation intercepted 10 consignments which ranged from 38,000 cigarettes to more than 20 million in each shipment.
Authorities estimate the criminal group who deliberately declared the tobacco as other goods would have avoided around 40 million Australian dollars (29.5 million U.S. dollars) in evaded taxes.
"We will continue to target and disrupt organized crime groups involved in money laundering as these proceeds are used to distribute illicit commodities causing great harm to our community," detective superintendent Jon Wacker of the Queensland Police Service Drug and Serious Crime Group said.
So far, police have arrested two men at the Gold Coast on suspicion of money laundering, while "a number of individuals" identified as being involved in the syndicate are also expected to be face charges.
The maximum penalty for tobacco smuggling in Australia is 10 years in prison.
Courts can also enforce fines five times the total of the evaded tax.