AUSTRAC’s financial intelligence has been central to 2 recent multi-agency operations that dismantled organised crime networks and disrupted the flow of illicit tobacco profits back into criminal enterprise.

Operation Bear – Queensland

Intelligence from AUSTRAC supported an ABF-led investigation into a serious organised crime group suspected of large-scale importation, distribution and sale of illicit tobacco and vapes, and money laundering.

On 20 August 2025, officers from the ABF, AUSTRAC, ATO, Gold Coast Public Health Unit, Gold Coast Joint Organised Crime Taskforce and Queensland Police Service Taskforce Masher executed warrants at a residential property in Tallai and storage sheds in Carrara. 

The operation resulted in the seizure of millions of dollars’ worth of illicit tobacco and vaping products, significantly disrupting one of Australia’s largest illicit tobacco syndicates.

AUSTRAC analysts were deployed alongside partner agencies, providing real time assessment of financial records during the execution of the warrants. 

AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the expertise AUSTRAC analysts can deliver by joining operations provides law enforcement partners with valuable insights into how criminal networks move and hide their money. 

“Having an AUSTRAC presence at these warrants is a reflection of the importance our partners place on the value of financial intelligence in investigations,” Mr Thomas said. 

“AUSTRAC is proud to have contributed to Operation BEAR and is committed to working with members of the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce to continue their efforts to disrupt the organised criminal groups profiting from these crimes.”

Operation Bolton – Victoria

In a separate case, AUSTRAC embedded a senior intelligence analyst within Victoria Police to support Operation Bolton, an investigation into a syndicate suspected of laundering more than $83 million through illicit tobacco sales since May 2021.

On 21 August 2025, Victoria Police’s Criminal Proceeds Squad and Taskforce Lunar, with support from the ABF, executed warrants at 2 homes in Dallas and a business in Epping. 

The operation resulted in arrests and the seizure of illicit tobacco, cash and high value goods, striking at the financial infrastructure of the syndicate. 

AUSTRAC’s embedded analyst provided expertise in tracking the movement of funds, allowing police to expand the scope of the investigation and target the broader network.

“When we combine AUSTRAC’s insights with the operational capabilities of our partners, we hit criminal groups where it hurts most – their profits,” Mr Thomas said.

“These cases reinforce that illicit tobacco is generating millions of dollars in criminal proceeds. The profits fund broader organised crime, and financial intelligence is crucial to cutting those links.”