The federal police has confiscated more than $700,000 cash seized from a Victorian family at the Gold Coast Airport two years ago.
The confiscation is part of ongoing money laundering investigations, police say.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) says $712,850 in cash was seized at the airport on March 13, 2024, after a tip-off that a person would be travelling to Mildura, Victoria, with a large amount of cash.
Police say the cash was carried in several bags by a family that was travelling together.
Police say a 35-year-old Victorian woman was linked to the concealed cash and that after the seizure, her partner, a Victorian man, 36, visited the airport and claimed ownership of the cash.
He was charged with one count of dealing in the proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more under the Criminal Code.
He please guilty on June 5, 2026, and was sentenced to three years jail with immediate release on a $5000 recognisance.
On July 23, 2026, the federal police-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) was able to secure a forfeiture order for the cash in the Queensland District Court.
FEDERAL POLICE ‘TO CONTINUE FORFEITURES’
AFP Acting Commander Tim Underhill says police nationwide will continue to seizure illegal cash and other proceeds of crime.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act provides law enforcement with powers to restrain and forfeit proceeds and instruments of crime,” he says.
“Asset confiscation is important to remove the financial benefit gained from criminal acts, including money laundering.
“The profits derived from criminal activity are often used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with its partners in the CACT to target the proceeds of crime and ensure it is re-invested to benefit the community.”
CACT was created in 2012 and run by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the tax office, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and Border Force.
Confiscated cash is held in an account that is managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority; the money is used to fund crime prevention, intervention or diversion programs and other activities.
CONTACTING FEDERAL POLICE
- In an emergency, call 000 and ask for police.
- If you need help in a non-urgent situation, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 to connect to your local police. If you aren’t sure what you need to do, contact the AFP on 131 237 (131 AFP).
- The National Relay Service can help you contact us if you’re d/Deaf or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone.
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