Authorities expect to make more arrests over an illegal tobacco importation syndicate that allegedly smuggled millions of dollars worth of cigarettes and drugs into the country.
The syndicate, which police say has links to Middle Eastern organised crime, is accused of using false documentation and paying off customs brokerage companies and freight forwarding firms to smuggle millions of cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates.
Eleven men and one woman were arrested following raids on 17 properties in Sydney's south and southwest on Tuesday.
Twelve men and one woman, aged from 21 to 65, were arrested following raids on 17 properties in Sydney's south and southwest and face various charges, including for fraud and smuggling.
The arrests and charges include:
A 25-year-old man was charged with smuggling etc. tobacco products; intentionally dealing in proceeds of crime etc. money or property worth $100,000 or more; supply prohibited drug (cocaine) not less than the commercial amount; and supply (offer) prohibited drug (cocaine) not less than the commercial amount.
A 24-year-old man who is a member of the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang was charged with supply prohibited drug (cocaine) not less than the commercial amount; and perjury.
A 37-year-old man who is a Customs broker was charged with smuggling etc. tobacco products; obtaining a financial advantage by deception; conspiracy to defraud causing a loss to the Commonwealth; multiple counts of forgery in respect of shipping documents; and supply (offer) prohibited drug (cocaine).
A 40-year-old man was charged with smuggling etc. tobacco products; obtaining a financial advantage by deception; possession of forged document; and possession of identification information.
A 32-year-old businessman was charged with multiple counts of smuggling etc. tobacco products; conspiracy to defraud causing a loss to the Commonwealth; dealing in proceeds of crime etc. money or property worth $1,000,000 or more.
A 65-year-old businessman was charged with multiple counts of smuggling etc. tobacco products; multiple counts of conspiracy to defraud causing a loss to the Commonwealth; dealing in proceeds of crime etc. money or property worth $1,000,000 or more.
A 22-year-old man was charged with supply (offer) prohibited drug (cocaine) not less than the large commercial amount; multiple counts of smuggling etc. tobacco products; and conspiracy to defraud causing a loss to the Commonwealth.
A 37-year-old man who is an imports manager was charged with forgery in respect of shipping documents.
A 21-year-old man was charged with smuggling etc. tobacco products; and conspiracy to defraud causing a loss to the Commonwealth.
A 25-year-old woman who is a freight company operations manager was charged with multiple counts of smuggling etc. tobacco products; and conspiracy to defraud causing a loss to the Commonwealth.
A 33-year-old man who is a Customs underbond warehouse manager was charged with forgery in respect of shipping documents; smuggling etc. tobacco products; dealing in proceeds of crime etc. money or property worth $10,000 or more; and conspiracy to defraud causing a loss to the Commonwealth.
A 45-year-old businessman was charged with smuggling etc. tobacco products; and intentionally dealing in proceeds of crime etc. money or property worth $100,000 or more.
A 56-year-old businessman was charged with two counts of smuggling etc. tobacco products; intentionally dealing in proceeds of crime etc. money or property worth $100,000 or more; and obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Penalties include up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the smuggling and fraud offences, through to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the more serious drug offences.
Police expect to charge another man later on Wednesday.