In a significant crackdown on organised crime in Australia, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have confiscated assets exceeding $11 million, including valuable art pieces, fine jewellery, luxury watches, and even a yacht. This operation, dubbed Operation Fuji, specifically targeted a major Middle Eastern crime syndicate with alleged links to gun possession, drug importation, and significant financial resources.
The authorities have accused the crime group of making threats to individuals’ lives, underscoring the seriousness of their activities. Investigations revealed that some drug trafficking operations were being orchestrated by inmates within prison systems.
A dedicated task force investigated the origins of the syndicate’s luxury items, which led the Supreme Court of Victoria to authorise the Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) to seize the identified assets on the grounds that they were likely derived from criminal activity.
Among the seized items are a luxury yacht valued at approximately $800,000, five original paintings by notable Australian artists including Brett Whiteley and Fred Williams, jewellery worth around $75,000, and 11 properties across Melbourne valued at $8.7 million.
The AFP stated that proceeds from the sale of these assets will contribute to a special fund aimed at supporting crime prevention and law enforcement initiatives. Detective Superintendent Scott Raven of the AFP emphasised that the seizure of these goods represents a critical step in disrupting organised crime throughout the country. He noted that the CACT employs investigators, forensic accountants, and litigation solicitors to challenge individuals to explain the sources of their wealth and to target assets lacking legal provenance.
By curtailing the flow of illicit funds, authorities aim to undermine the financial foundations of organised crime, thereby reducing its prevalence in society. Since July 2019, the CACT has successfully seized over $1.2 billion in criminal assets, further highlighting the ongoing fight against organised crime in Australia.