Vision of the operation can be downloaded here and images downloaded here.
Millions of illicit cigarettes, bank accounts, assets and two properties have been seized and restrained in a multimillion-dollar blow to an alleged major transnational organised crime (TSOC) network operating in the illicit tobacco trade.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) led Illicit Tobacco Task Force (ITTF) and ACT Policing have jointly disrupted the criminal network suspected of facilitating large-scale importations and the storage and distribution of illicit tobacco products.
Operation ONDINA began following intelligence referred by the ACT Policing Criminal Assets Investigations Team (CAIT) concerning logistics, transport and storage companies, which were later discovered to be part-owned by a Chinese TSOC network, which was suspected of importing and distributing illicit tobacco to criminal groups across Australia.
On the 25 August 2026, officers from the ITTF, CAIT, supported by the NSW Police executed Customs Act warrants at Blacktown, Pennant Hills, Sydney and Barangaroo, New South Wales.
Across the four locations ABF officers seized over 3.4 million illicit cigarettes representing a duty evaded of approximately AUD $5.3 million, 5 luxury handbags and the collection of evidentiary and electronic material.
ACT CAIT restrained a Bentley Continental, two residential properties in Lawson and Bruce, ACT, and eight bank accounts all linked to the criminal syndicate.
Two unlawful non-citizens identified at the warrant location were subsequently detained and transported by ABF officers to Villawood Immigration Detention centre pending review of their visa status.
The total value of assets seized and restrained is valued at well over AUD $5 million.
The criminal network is suspected to be one of the principal Australian-based entities behind the attempted importation of the majority of the 112 containers of illicit tobacco targeted under Project SEAHORSE, announced last week.
Further Investigations into the TSOC network and their criminal activities in the illicit tobacco trade remain ongoing, with further disruption activity expected.
ABF Commander Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Greg Dowse said this investigation demonstrates that our response to illicit tobacco extends far beyond seizing illegal products.
“While removing illicit tobacco from the community is important, our objective is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the criminal business models and the people that sit behind these importations.
“Every bank account restrained, property targeted and luxury asset seized removes the financial incentive that drives this criminal activity and increases the cost to those involved in this illicit trade. Organised crime groups are motivated by profit, and we are increasingly focused on taking those profits away to shift the illicit tobacco trade into a high-risk low-profit commodity,” Commander Dowse said
“Criminal syndicates should be under no illusion. Law enforcement agencies both here and overseas are not operating in isolation, we are sharing intelligence, connecting investigations and coordinating action in ways that make it increasingly difficult for organised crime to hide their activities or their assets.”
ACT Policing acting Inspector Drugs and Organised Crime Mark Battye said ACT Policing was pleased to work Australian Border Force to dismantle the illicit tobacco market and seize the proceeds of their illegal activities.
“Illicit tobacco funds organised criminal networks and presents significant community harm through unregulated products and associated violence perpetrated by these groups,” Detective acting Inspector Battye said.
“We know that organised crime groups will become involved in anything that will make money and illicit tobacco is no exception. They are also likely to be involved in other criminal offending such as drug trafficking and will use violence and intimidation to further their activities.”
