Russian exports have triggered trans-Tasman police raids on properties in Melbourne and New Zealand.
The properties in Auckland, Christchurch and Melbourne were searched as police investigated suspected breaches of Australian and NZ sanctions on Russia.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) says the operation began with an alert by NZ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to that country’s Police and Customs agencies in December 2025.
Three companies are suspected of breaching NZ’s Russia Sanctions Act by exporting prohibited assets.
NZ Customs alerted the ABF who began investigating suspected illegal exports from Australia to Russian.
Properties in Auckland and Christchurch were searched last Monday (June 22) with more searches in Christchurch last Friday, and blocked the sale of a property in the South Island city.
At the same time, ABF and Australian Federal Police searched properties in Melbourne.
RUSSIAN SANCTIONS ‘ARE LAW’
Detective Inspector Christiaan Barnard of the NZ Police Financial Crime Group says police are reminding businesses that abiding by all sanctions (including those under their Russia Sanctions Act) is the law.
“All New Zealand companies must understand their obligations, assess potential exposure to sanctioned activities, and implement robust due diligence processes to ensure they do not unlawfully export or deal in prohibited assets,” he says.
“Resources and guidance are available on websites. While much of this guidance is directed at duty holders, it is also useful for all businesses to better understand the risks.”
ABF Inspector Jessica Frezza says they support lawful trade but they also run dedicated end-to-end sanctions enforcement as well.
“The ABF works closely with domestic and international agencies to detect, deter and disrupt the movement of illicit and sanctioned goods across the border,” she says.
NZ Police say no charges have been filed yet with enquiries continuing but suppression orders remain in place from previous court action that was since withdrawn.
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