A 62-year-old Australia Post post office manager is one of three men charged by Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST) detectives this week as part of combined investigations into the alleged importation of illicit tobacco and vapes into Australia.
The MAST is made up of 41 officers from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
The MAST – using investigators and analysts from both NSW and Commonwealth law enforcement agencies – leverages their capabilities, resources and legislative powers to investigate and target trusted insiders who are assisting transnational serious, organised crime syndicates impacting NSW.
In June, investigators established Strike Force Kerani to investigate the alleged importation of large quantities of illicit tobacco and vapes by a 62-year-old man, using his trusted insider position in a senior role at a post office north of Sydney. The investigation was supported by information supplied by Australia Post.
At around 2.30pm on Tuesday, investigators executed three search warrants at Berowra Heights, Zetland and Banksmeadow, along with a targeted vehicle stop (pictured) at Banksmeadow.
Police seized $60,470 in cash, 3,365,800 sticks of illicit tobacco, 14,040 vapes, 9,049 tobacco tin pouches, 648 sachets of rolling tobacco and electronic devices.
The 62-year-old man was arrested in Berowra Heights and charged with possess more than 100 commercial quantity vaping goods, possess more than 100 commercial quantity vaping goods, and possess tobacco commercial quantity less than 10 commercial quantity. He appeared before Hornsby Local Court, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on Wednesday 18 November.
A 36-year-old man was arrested in Banksmeadow charged with possess more than 100 commercial quantity vaping goods, possess more than 100 commercial quantity vaping goods in NSW, possess tobacco commercial quantity less than 10 commercial quantity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 7 yesterday.
Another 36-year-old man arrested in Banksmeadow was charged with commercial possession of vapes. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 16 November.
NSWPF State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson organised crime networks rely heavily on trusted insiders to facilitate their offending.
“The illicit tobacco and vape market remain a lucrative revenue stream for organised crime syndicates operating across Australia,” Det Supt Watson.
“Those profits often fund other serious criminal activities, which is why identifying and disrupting the people who help these networks operate is a key priority for police.
“This operation demonstrates the strength of the Multi Agency Strike Team and the significant capabilities we can bring to investigations involving trusted insiders.”
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said illicit tobacco remained a lucrative trade for organised crime, and targeting trusted insiders helping them is an effective form of disruption.
“The millions of dollars generated through the illicit tobacco trade fuels criminal networks which cause real harm in Australian communities. Trusted insiders can be a key part of this illicit trade, so disrupting them slamming shut these backdoors into our country can inflict real damage on these criminal networks,” Det Supt Fogarty said
“The MAST gives the AFP and our partners the ability to target the key people, enablers and networks which get these products into Australia.
“Let me be clear – we will continue to target trusted insiders, disrupt the networks they are servicing and ultimately protect the community.”
ABF Acting Superintendent, Nick Siomos said the outcome reflects the strength of intelligence-led targeting and collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
“The ABF works closely with its partners to identify, detect and disrupt criminal networks seeking to exploit legitimate supply chains and trusted positions to facilitate the importation of illicit goods,” A/Supt Siomos said.
“This result reinforces our ability to target organised crime at multiple points in the supply chain and prevent illicit tobacco and vaping products from reaching the Australian community.”
