Joint activity has intensified pressure on a major illicit tobacco network, targeting its financial foundations and the disruption of over AUD $20 million worth of assets linked to its criminal enterprise.
On 12 November 2026, Officers from the NSW Crime Commission, the NSW Police Force State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad and the Australian Border Force (ABF) executed search warrants on two properties in Fairfield, NSW.
The luxury properties are connected with a 42-year-old male who is the alleged ringleader of a major illicit tobacco network.
The joint operation is the third phase of a multi-jurisdictional investigation led by the ABF’s Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) and forms part of a sustained effort to increase enforcement pressure and dismantle the network’s criminal business model – further eroding the group’s ability to operate, generate profits and remove its capacity to reinvest in future offending.
NSW Crime Commission investigations have revealed significant assets that are suspected to be connected to the sale of illicit tobacco.
Upon executing the warrants, the NSW Crime Commission restrained both properties, as well as a car and three bank accounts. Concurrently, the NSW Supreme court granted restraining orders against four additional properties in QLD and NSW linked to the syndicate, with the total value of the assets restrained estimated to be over AUD 20 million.
During the search warrants officers from the NSW Crime Commission and the ITTF located and seized AUD $37,000 cash, USD $2,500 cash, several electronic devices and documents relating to financial assets, cryptocurrency and illicit tobacco related activities.
The Commission will now commence legal action under the Criminal Assets Recovery Act aimed at ensuring the forfeiture of these assets to the NSW Government.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Quotes
ABF Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said This multi-agency operation demonstrates the strength of the cooperation between our Commonwealth, and state and territory partners.
“Previous phases of the investigation conducted in March and September 2026, resulted in the seizure of more than 4 million illicit cigarettes, 184 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, more than USD $475,000 and AUD $20,000 in cash, and the arrest of four persons of interest.
“Seizures remain an important part of our response, but this operation demonstrates our focus on targeting the people, profits, assets and infrastructure that underpin organised crime and systematically dismantling the foundations on which these networks are built.”
“The cumulative impact of this sustained enforcement pressure is clear. Criminal networks are being forced to adapt, absorb financial losses and contend with disruption of their alleged operations.”
NSW Crime Commissioner – Stephen Dametto
“Together with our partner agencies, the Commission is committed to stripping criminal wealth by ensuring that those who profit from their illegal activities will not retain the benefits of those activities.
“Today’s operation is a significant one that also prevents the proceeds of crime from being utilised in further criminal activity.”
