Hundreds of thousands of dollars were discovered at an airport after an alleged cash trafficker for an organised crime group was stopped by police attempting to board a domestic flight.
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The 34-year-old Mildura man had booked a flight from the Gold Coast to his hometown in March 2024 when he was stopped in the Queensland airport.
A police dog, capable of sniffing out hidden cash and drugs, identified the man's bags as suspicious and officers allegedly found $830,000 in large denominations in his carry on and checked luggage.
Alleged organised crime connections
Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the man is suspected of dealing in the proceeds of crime.
"Organised crime groups are driven by greed and try to hide their ill-gotten wealth from authorities,''AFP detective acting superintendent Mary Bolton said.
"Removing the profit from crime is key to disrupting organised criminal activity and delivering maximum damage to the criminal environment," she said.
"The AFP has ensured this money will not be used to fund other criminal activities."
Charges laid
The Mildura man was charged with one count of dealing with cash or property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of general crime worth $100,000 or more.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years imprisonment.
He is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on July 15.
Anna Houlahan
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
