The seizure of 46 million illicit cigarettes at the Australian border has led to further importation charges under Strike Force Aulic.
In September 2023, investigators established Strike Force Aulic to investigate the importation and supply of large quantities of prohibited drugs and illicit tobacco by a 42-year-old man and his associates, who were allegedly purporting to have the ability to circumvent border controls.
Seven men have previously been charged and remain before the courts.
As Strike Force Aulic investigations progressed, ABF officers seized an additional four containers allegedly linked to the syndicate between Tuesday, 24 June, 2025 and Tuesday, 15 July, 2025 at the NSW border.
The containers are alleged to contain a total of 46 million illicit cigarettes worth approximately $31 million.
Yesterday (Monday, 21 July, 2025), detectives issued a 42-year-old man a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for two counts of import tobacco products with intent to defraud revenue, relating to approximately 25 million illicit cigarettes found in two of the containers.
The man is due to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, 31 July, 2025.
Detectives from the Multi-Agency Strike Team (MAST) comprises 41 officers from the NSW Police Force (NSWPF), 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 brings together Commonwealth and NSW investigators and analysts to leverage combined resources, expertise and legislative powers in identifying and targeting trusted insiders aiding transnational serious organised crime syndicates affecting NSW.
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