The AFP has successfully confiscated more than $700,000 as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation.
A total of $712,850 in cash was detected and seized by the AFP at Gold Coast Airport on 13 March, 2024, following intelligence that a person would be travelling to Mildura, Victoria, in possession of a large quantity of cash.
Police allege the cash was spread across several bags in the possession of a family travelling together. Investigators identified a member of the group, a 35-year-old Victorian woman, as being linked to the concealed cash. After the seizure, her partner, a Victorian man, 36, attended the Gold Coast Airport and claimed ownership of the cash.
He was subsequently charged with one count of dealing in money or other property believed to be proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1A) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) conducted an investigation into the seized cash. Through this investigation, the CACT could not establish any legitimate source or explanation for the large sum of money, particularly noting the circumstances of its collection and transportation.
On 23 July, 2026, the CACT obtained restraint and forfeiture orders in the District Court of Queensland, resulting in the $712,850 being immediately forfeited to the Commonwealth.
This forfeiture followed the man pleading guilty to a Commonwealth money laundering offence on 5 June, 2026. He was sentenced on the same date to three years’ imprisonment, with immediate release on a $5000 recognisance.
AFP Acting Commander Tim Underhill said police around Australia would continue to target proceeds of crime through forfeitures.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act provides law enforcement with unique powers to restrain and forfeit proceeds and instruments of crime,” A/Commander Underhill said.
“Asset confiscation is important to remove the financial benefit gained from criminal acts, including money laundering.
“The profits derived from criminal activity are often used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with its partners in the CACT to target the proceeds of crime and ensure it is re-invested to benefit the community.”
The CACT was established in 2012, and brings together the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and Australian Border Force – as a proactive and world leading criminal asset tracing and confiscation capability. The highly skilled members of CACT are located Australia-wide and comprise police, financial investigators, forensic accountants, litigation lawyers and partner agency specialists.
Confiscated assets are placed in the Confiscated Assets Account, which is managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The funds are used to benefit the community through crime prevention, intervention or diversion programs, or other law enforcement initiatives. The Department of Home Affairs supports the Minister in managing programs of expenditure from the Confiscated Assets Account.
